The American University lacrosse team held a one-goal lead at the end of the first half, but couldn't hold off UMBC in the second half as it dropped its home opener, 15-12, on Saturday afternoon.

UMBC (1-0) tallied the first goal of the day but back-to-back scores from Alex Lugovina and Emily Burton put the Eagles up 2-1. The game went back-and-forth, before Kimberly Collins added her first of the day with 29 seconds left to send American into the half with the 7-6 advantage. 

The Retrievers tied it less than two minutes in and took an 8-7 lead on a goal from Kristen Bilney, but American (0-2) knotted it at on an unassisted score from Emily Maher with 26:46 remaining in the game. UMBC went on a 3-0 run for the 13-9 advantage and American cut it to two on consecutive tallies from Maher and Nicole Lombardo. Lindsay Cox gave the Retrievers back a three-goal cushion with 7:41 to play as it went on to win 15-12.

Lugovina led the Eagles with a career-high four goals and Burton added three. Maher and Samantha Marshall tallied two assists apiece, with Maher also collecting three ground balls. American held a 14-12 edge in draw controls, with Maher posting five to lead the Eagles. Teal Harrison registered six saves. 

Cox and Alyssa Semones registered four goals apiece to lead the Retrievers' attack.

American will take on High Point next at Jacobs Field on Sunday, February 24 at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast live on Eagles Vision TV.