Despite a strong second half performance, the American University lacrosse team could not overcome a dominant first half by the Spiders as the team fell to Richmond, 20-8, on Wednesday afternoon.

American (0-4) traded goals with the Spiders in the first few minutes of the game as Alex Lugovina and Emily Maher countered two goals to tie the game up before Richmond (1-4) scored eight unanswered tallies in a seven minute span.

Maher was able to notch her second goal of the game off an Emily Burton assist to stop the Richmond run and bring the Eagles within five with 12:50 remaining in the first. Kimberly Collins scored her ninth goal of the season and Maher registered her third of the game, matching her career-high with the hat trick, as Richmond took a 17-5 lead into the half.

Jordan Harrington scored back-to-back goals for American to start the second half to help spark a 3-1 run. But the Eagles couldn't overcome its first half deficit as the Spiders walked away with the 20-8 win.

Maher and Emily Shields collected two ground balls apiece for American with Maher notching three draw controls. Teal Harrison recorded a career-high 10 saves.

Richmond outshot the Eagles, 32-14, and grabbed a game-high 13 ground balls. Caitlin Fifield and Sam Stevenson scored five goals apiece as the Spiders also registered a season-best 24 draw controls.

The Eagles will travel to Fairfax, Va. to take on George Mason on Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. before returning to Jacobs Field next Wednesday to face No. 16 Towson at 3 p.m. Wednesday's game will broadcast live on Eagles Vision TV.