The American University lacrosse team dropped its season opener at William & Mary on Wednesday afternoon, 17-13, despite Kimberly Collins's five-goal effort.

American (0-1) knotted it at one with on Collins's first goal of the game and Nicole Lombardo put the Eagles up 2-1 a minute later. William & Mary registered three straight scores but the Eagles answered and Lombardo scored off a free position shot to tie it at five apiece with 6:27 remaining in the first half. Each team added a goal to close out the half, with Emily Maher notching her first tally of the day to put it at 6-6. 

William & Mary (1-0) took a 10-7 advantage with 24:46 left to play and held onto its lead for the remainder of the game. The Eagles cut it to a two-point game, 14-12, on a 4-1 run with 8:10 to go, but the Tribe answered with three straight tallies to end the streak. Collins matched her career mark with three seconds to go, adding an unassisted goal for the 17-13 final score.

Collins led the team with five goals while Lombardo, Alex Lugovina and Maher added two apiece. Samantha Marshall tallied two assists. Lauren Binstein collected a team-best three ground balls and Maher notched six draw controls. Collins posted two caused turnovers for the Eagles. Teal Harrison recorded seven saves in her first appearance between the pipes for American. 

Taylor Salmon and Ellen Shaffrey added four goals apiece for William & Mary. The Tribe outshot American, 35-23, in the game.

The Eagles open their home slate on Saturday, February 16 at 12 p.m. when they take on UMBC. The game will broadcast live on Eagles Vision TV.