April 10, 2002

In women's lacrosse action at Reeves Field in Washington, D.C on Wednesday, April 10, the Villanova Wildcats were defeated by American University by a score of 10-8. With the loss, the 'Cats fall to 6-5 on the season and 3-2 in conference action, while the Eagles improve to 7-5 overall and 4-1 in Patriot League play.

Trailing 1-0 in the first half, Villanova evened the score at the 17:16 mark with a goal by senior Cecily Pierce (New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan). The 'Cats then took their only lead of the game when Elizabeth Firth (Chevy Chase, Md./Georgetown Visitation) found the net at the 10:29 mark. After three straight American goals, the 'Cats answered off junior Meghan Carolan's (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville) back to back scores, both of which were assisted by Sarah DePeters (Rochester, N.Y./Irondequoit). The Eagles' Tara Michal scored with just over five minutes remaining to give American the 5-4 lead heading into the break.

Michael continued where she left off to open second half action registering a goal and assist to give American a three-goal advantage. DePeters answered right back at the 23:16 mark, but American's Nadia Harmsen scored her third goal of the day to keep the Eagles ahead. The Wildcats clawed back with three goals by Katie Mannix, Katie Komlo and DePeters' second goal of the day to tie the game at eight 17:51 into the second half but it was not enough as the Eagles would hold off the 'Cats and seal the 10-8 victory.

DePeters led Villanova with two goals and two assists on the afternoon while Carolan scored two goals and added an assist. In the net for the Wildcats, sophomore Brandy Greneir (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) made eight saves.

Next up for the Wildcats is a Saturday afternoon showdown in W. Long Branch, N.J. when Villanova takes on Monmouth at 1:00 p.m.

Goals: AU - Harmsen 3, Fenwick 2, Michael 2, Crean, Repoli, Riitano, VU - Carolan 2, DePeters 2, Firth, Komlo, Mannix, Pierce

Assists: AU - Michael 2, Brandon, Harmsen, Michael, Riitano, VU - DePeters 2, Carolan, Komlo, Pierce

Saves: AU - Randisi 7, VU - Grenier 8