WASHINGTON - The American University lacrosse team put on a show in its season-opener on Saturday, outpacing Saint Francis (0-2) on the road 21-12 to open the season with a 1-0 record.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Senior Casey Harkins opened her final season in the AU uniform in a big way, pacing the Eagles with career-highs in goals (six) and points (eight) after also pitching in a pair of assists.
• Junior Emma Vinall was next for the Eagles with seven points (5g, 2a), followed by classmate Kendall Goldblum (3g, 2a) and senior Erica Skowron (2g, 1a).
• Five other Eagles contributed to the final tally, including a pair of freshmen with Sadie Herman and Emma Hare pitching in a goal each alongside senior Izabella Jade and sophomores Haley Harkins and Hali Sibilia.
• Sibilia also led the team on the defensive end with three caused turnovers and four ground balls while Vinall pulled down a team-high six draw controls.
• Junior goalkeeper Delaney Oliveira picked up six saves while senior Emma Curtis walked away with three.
• Saint Francis was led by a four-goal effort from Livia Baker. Emileigh Scott added three goals and a game-high 11 draw controls.
• The Eagles led in ground balls, 24-20, and caused turnovers, 21-10.
• American took control of the game early on with Casey Harkins' first goal of the day in the third minute of the game. 
• The Eagles capitalized off a turnover less than a minute later with Skowron finding the back of the net after an assist from Skowron. 
• Goldblum continued the run with a goal of her own after another Red Flash miscue before Saint Francis got on the board with its first goal from Livia Baker.
• By the end of the half, the Eagles picked up an 11-7 lead behind goals from Casey Harkins (2), Vinall (3), Goldblum (2), and Hare.
• Of those 11, two were off free position shots as Goldblum and Vinall each capitalized on the two of AU's three free position opportunities.
• American continued to widen the gap in the early minutes of the second half as goals from Vinall and Casey Harkins delivered a six-goal advantage at 13-7. 
• Saint Francis struggled to string more than one goal together as the Eagles continued to expand its lead, eventually picking up the largest of the game at 21-11 after back-to-back goals from the Harkins' sisters with 7:21 left on the clock.
• The Red Flash had the last say, though, as Maggie Luzier closed out the day's scoring with a free position goal in the final 1:30 to bring the score to its final, 21-12.

QUOTABLE
"The team played with heart and hustle until the very end. They were patient and communicative throughout the whole 60 minutes. Today was the start of a very special season, and we are so proud of each and every one of these girls!" - Assistant coach Lindsey Ronbeck

NEXT UP...
American will host its home opener at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, against Delaware State before hitting the road for a two-game stretch at Longwood (Feb. 22) and George Washington (Feb. 26).

For the latest on American University Lacrosse, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Lacrosse) and Instagram (@au_wlax).