WASHINGTON – The Eagles and Black Knights traded goals through the first half with neither side relenting as Maddy Spratt and Alyssa Apuzzo notched three goals apiece through the first two quarters. However, despite the back-and-forth battle for supremacy, the American University lacrosse team (6-5, 2-2 PL)  was unable to hold off the Army Black Knights (11-0, 5-0 PL) in the second half as the Eagles fell 18-10 at home.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Spratt led the Eagles offensively as she tied her season high for goals in a game with four, scoring three in the first half. The sophomore added four draw controls and also added a ground ball and caused turnover to her statline for the day.
• Apuzzo also tied her season high for goals in a game as she found the back of the net for three goals in the first two quarters. The sophomore also assisted on another goal in the second half.
• Annabelle Jackson, Kellie Linehan and Reagan Murdoch each added a goal in the Eagles' efforts. Jackson and Linehan also each secured a ground ball.
• Junior Hannah Spease helped the Eagles stay in the contest as she assisted on a goal while also securing a pair of draw controls along with grabbing a ground ball and causing a turnover.
• Defenders Grace Brennan, Jenna Walls and Jordan Mitchell remained active as Brennan secured two ground balls and caused a turnover. Walls and Mitchell each grabbed a ground ball and Mitchell added a draw control on the day.
• Junior Lizzie De Guzman stayed vigilant in the middle as she also grabbed a pair of draw controls through the contest.
• Junior goalkeeper Mary Alice Collins was tested often as the Black Knights managed 26 shots on goal, but she was able to stave off nearly a third of those while recording eight saves.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• American drew the early lead as Spratt cut inside for the first goal of the contest inside the opening minute.
• Apuzzo followed up two-and-a-half minutes later as she beat Army's defense for the Eagles' second goal of the game to take the early 2-0 lead.
• Despite Army cutting into the Eagles' lead with one of their own five minutes into the first quarter, Jackson responded with a goal of her own to regain a two-goal advantage over the Black Knights.
• Despite the Eagles' strong offensive start, their defense was unable to hold off a strong challenge from Army as the Black Knights scored three unanswered goals to take a 4-3 advantage heading into the second frame.
• Not to be outdone, though, Spratt was able to bring the Eagles even at 4-4 with a quick goal in the second quarter.
• While Army regained the lead with another goal, the Eagles fought back to score two goals to retake the lead as Murdoch and Apuzzo scored back-to-back goals within 34 seconds of one another, early in the second quarter.
• American's lead only lasted for less than a minute, however, as Army tied the score at six apiece before scoring three more goals to take a 9-6 lead over the Eagles.
• Apuzzo and Spratt each pushed the Eagles back within striking distance to close out the half with their third goals of the game, with Spease finding Spratt on her shot. However, Army strengthened its position with one more goal with five seconds left in the half to take a 10-8 lead into the break.
• American and Army traded two goals each through the third quarter with the Eagles' Apuzzo finding Linehan for a goal and Spratt netting an unassisted goal for her fourth goal of the game to keep American just behind Army, 12-10.
• However, from the two-minute mark in the third quarter and on, Army put a barrage of shots on goal. The Black Knights scored three more goals in the final two minutes of the quarter before scoring another three unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to close out the 6-0 run and secure the game.

NEXT UP
American continues its home stand on Saturday, April 8, with another home matchup against Patriot League rival Lehigh for the Eagles' senior day. The Eagles will have a short turnaround following Saturday's match as they host #24 Navy on Wednesday, April 12, at 4 p.m. in another Patriot League match.

KEEP UP WITH US
For the latest on AU Lacrosse, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Lacrosse) and Instagram (@au_wlax).