WASHINGTON – While American University lacrosse held visiting #7 Loyola Maryland to a hotly contested draw through the first quarter, the Eagles were unable to hold off their visitors as they lost 15-5 to open Patriot League play.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Junior Alyssa Apuzzo led the offensive effort for American with a goal and an assist while also adding a ground ball for the day.
• For the match, American was outpaced in shots 33-18 with seven shots on goal to Loyola's 28.
• Hannah Spease, a senior midfielder, put up two shots on goal, scoring once. She also caused two turnovers, earned a draw control and corralled four ground balls.
• Junior Becca Frank and freshman Jasmine Connor each found the net for a goal, extending their scoring streak with each scoring now in each of the Eagles' first three games, and Maddy Spratt found her way to the net with a goal coming  off a free position.
• On the defensive end, freshman Deirdre Brown helped level the defensive effort with two caused turnovers while she added four ground balls through the match while junior Darby Sherrod added another three ground balls and a caused turnover.
• Senior defender Jordan Mitchell had a pair of ground balls and caused a turnover; she also recorded a pair of draw controls.
• Caleigh Forti earned the start for American in goal, recording 13 saves and corralling a pair of ground balls.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• American's Spease kicked off the game with an early goal, just under three minutes into the first frame.
• The Hounds were able to level the score with 8:33 remaining in the first frame for the only other score of the quarter as both sides' defensive efforts held firm.
• Loyola held a slight shot advantage through the first quarter with six shots to American's five.
• The Hounds were able to jump quickly on the board in the second quarter with two goals in the first 1:03. Loyola continued to add to its hot start to the frame with three more goals in the first five minutes to take a 6-1 lead with 10:33 remaining.
• Apuzzo was able to help American fight back with her lone goal at the 2:54 mark, drawing the score back to 6-2.
• Loyola had an answer for American's offensive efforts, though, as the Hounds scored a pair of goals in the closing minutes to take an 8-2 lead into halftime.
• The third quarter momentum leaned towards Loyola as the Hounds scored five unanswered goals before Spratt was able to find the net for American on a free position shot, bringing the score to 13-3.
• The Hounds were able to add another two scores through the first half of the final frame before American's Connor found the goal and Frank finished off the scoring with an assist from Apuzzo.

NEXT UP

American heads across town Wednesday, Feb. 21, for a 1 p.m. game at George Washington. American's next home game is slated for Saturday, February 24, with a noon game against UMBC.

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