WASHINGTON - It was a complete team victory for the American University lacrosse team over Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon, as the Eagles never trailed on their way to taking down the Crusaders 14-7 on Senior Day. Sophomore goalkeeper Brooke Hill highlighted one of AU's best defensive performances of the year with a season-high 15 saves, and senior midfielder Reagan Murdoch led the attacking effort with five goals and an assist. 

Notable

• Murdoch was one of five different goal scorers for AU, and her sixth point of the day — an assist to fellow senior captain Kellie Linehan, got her to 150 career points. 
• Anastasia Byrnes logged her first career hat trick and added an assist for a career-high four points. She set the tone early for AU, scoring on her first two shots of the game. 
• Jasmine Connor, Annabelle Jackson, and Linehan each netted a pair of goals. Nine of AU's 14 tallies were assisted, each by a different player. 
• Hill was stellar in goal, making the 15 denials on 22 total shots on frame. She was crucial for American in the first quarter, keeping her team in front with five saves — her busiest quarter of the day. 
• AU's defensive pressure on Holy Cross's side of the field caused the Crusaders to fail on four clear attempts and caused seven of the visitors' 15 total turnovers. Deirdre Brown led the way with three forced errors, while Rayah Johnson picked up a season-high four ground balls, and Izzy Masengarb had three. 
• Lauren Appleby had a quality day in the draw control circle, winning three to herself and five to Kellie Linehan. 

How it Happened 

• After Hill's second save of the day, Brynes opened the scoring for the Eagles on the ensuing possession at the 10:05 mark of the first quarter. She bursted past her defender on a way-on-one, dashing into the crease and finishing to the top right of the cage. 
• AU didn't score again until just over two minutes remained in the frame, when Adria Kotzian found Jackson right in front of goal for an easy finish. The Eagles had a 2-1 lead after one. 
• The Crusaders put up three goals in the second quarter to American's two, but four saves from Hill kept Holy Cross behind the home side at the break. 
• Tory Rider and Annabel Brennan struck back-to-back times in the first three minutes of the second, but Byrnes halted the run with a free position score. Freshman Celia Bacik stepped up to the eight-meter on a free position chance six minutes later, but elected to pass to Murdoch, who squeezed a shot past Mackenzie Creagh at the near post. 
• Arcangela Haffner scored for Holy Cross with four minutes remaining in the half, making the score 5-4 to going into the locker room. 
• The Eagles played their best lacrosse in the third quarter, scoring four goals and shutting out Holy Cross. Murdoch converted a free position, then Connor and Jackson found the back of the net. 
• With three minutes left in the quarter, Murdoch put her sharp-shooting ability on full display. Caroline McBride was doubled and dumped the ball off to the senior on the left wing. Murdoch took the space given to her and fired a pinpoint shot to the top right corner of the cage to give AU a 9-4 lead. 
• The Eagles continued to roll in the fourth, scoring five more goals and allowing three only after the game was out of reach. Murdoch added her fifth and sixth, Linehan had two, and Connor put in her second. 

Up Next

• The Eagles will play their final home game of the season against Bucknell on Wednesday, April 15 against Bucknell.