WASHINGTON - The American University lacrosse team (3-3) nearly led from start to finish on Saturday as the Eagles powered past Gardner-Webb (2-3), 20-11, at Jacobs Complex.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Fifth-year Emma Vinall fell one goal shy of tying her career-high, leading the Eagles with eight on the day along with an assist. The attacker was absolutely dominant in the circle, pulling down a career-high 12 draw controls.
• Classmate Kendall Goldblum was next with four goals and three assists for seven points on the day, while senior Emma Hare added four points (2g, 2a) and senior Hali Sibilia picked up three (1g, 2a).
• Freshman Becca Frank got on the board for the second time this season, tying her previous best with two goals. Classmate Maddy Spratt added one more along with two assists.
• Senior Stefanie Walsh and sophomore Emma Fiore closed out scoring for the Eagles with a goal each.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs were led by a hat trick from Talen Francis. Jada Preston and Lauren Deaver added a pair of goals each with four more adding one goal each.
• Sophomore-transfer Mary Alice Collins got the start in goal and brought down five saves in 45 minutes before classmate Helena Morrison wrapped up the game.
• Danielle Burke played just under 35 minutes for Gardner-Webb and had four saves before Kathleen Mackey came in and added three.
• The Eagles led in shots, 34-23, and draw controls 25-10, but the two teams were even in ground balls, 19-19, with American giving up 24 turnovers to 14 from Gardner-Webb.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• American pulled out to the early lead behind a goal from Vinall in the third minute, but Gardner-Webb responded in kind less than four minutes later to even the score.
• The Eagles continued to inch ahead with another goal from Vinall and one from Goldblum, but the Runnin' Bulldogs drew even each time until a 3-0 solo run from Vinall brought AU ahead at 6-3 in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
• Another goal from Goldblum and the first of the day from Frank continued to widen the gap before Gardner-Webb ended the drought with back-to-back goals from Deaver to bring the score to 8-5 heading into halftime.
• AU hit another run to open the second half with goals from Spratt, Hare, Vinall and Goldblum in the first three minutes to give AU a 12-5 lead.
• Gardner-Webb's Ciarra Ashworth found the back of the net to make it a six-point game before the Eagles hit three more unanswered to widen the gap to nine.
• Frank closed the third quarter with her second goal of the day off a free position opportunity to give American a 16-8 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
• For the fourth time of the day, AU hit a three-goal run to take their largest lead of the game at 19-8 with just under 10 minutes remaining.
• The Bulldogs fought until the end, though, scoring three goals in the final eight minutes while Hare posted the only one for American to close the game at 20-11.

NEXT UP
American is back on the road for a three-game stretch, starting with a visit to William & Mary on March 11, then the nonconference finale at Old Dominion on March 13. The Eagles will open Patriot League play on March 19 at Lafayette before making their return to Jacobs to host Holy Cross at noon on March 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).