Multiple turnovers and deficient shooting plagued the American University women's lacrosse team en route to a 15-9 loss at George Mason on Thursday afternoon, marking the Eagles' second consecutive loss and dropping them to 1-2 on the season.
American found themselves in an early hole in the first half, as George Mason was able to score first and then go on a short run at the 20-minute mark, scoring three goals in just over two minutes to put the score at 4-1.
The Eagles would manage three more goals before the end of the half, two from junior attack Lauren Askinoff, to stay within reach with the score at 6-4. American took only nine shots in the first half, and turned the ball over 15 times.
A comeback looked imminent in the second half, when senior captain Caithlin Gorman scored to bring the Eagles within one goal, a minute and a half in. Mason answered with two more goals, but AU kept at it on a goal by freshman Amanda Makoid to put the Eagles within two, 8-6.
The Patriots began to pull away with a series of back-to-back scores, with American only able to answer back with one goal each time. Sophomore Anne Marie Person scored two for AU, while junior Jackie Lane and Gorman each contributed a goal apiece before the end of the half, but it wasn't enough as the Patriots went on to win 15-9.
Although American had 15 turnovers in the second half, junior goalkeeper Kristine Vida kept the damage minimal with nine saves in the half and 13 overall. George Mason had 28 shots on goal, while AU had half as many with 14.
The Eagles return to action on Sunday when they travel to Norfolk, Va. to take on Old Dominion at 1 p.m.
