Sept. 9, 2005

Box Score

WASHINGTON, DC - Despite jumping out to an early one-goal lead, the Saint Joseph women's soccer team couldn't hold off American University as the Eagles downed the Hawks 2-1 in the opening game of the Georgetown Hoya Classic.

Saint Joseph's senior forward Alisha Paine put the Hawks on the board first, with a goal at 3:59. Paine gathered a bouncing ball that ricocheted off an American defender and buried it into the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

The Hawks' lead was short lived as the Eagles quickly regrouped to tie the game at 1-1 in the 15th minute. American's Katlyn Miller headed a lofted pass from teammate Lena Winkler past Saint Joseph's senior goalkeeper Nicole DiEnna at 14:30.

The game would remain tightly fought over the next 63 minutes, with both teams having prime scoring chances. The Hawks nearly took a 2-1 edge right before the half, but a shot from sophomore defender Erin Bailey clanked off the post.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Eagles broke the tie in the 79th minute as Marcela Ricupero beat DiEnna to put American up 2-1 at 78:09.

Saint Joseph's had one last scoring opportunity in the 83rd minute, but American's Andy Gierman posted her game-high seventh save on a shot by the Hawks' senior Jess Daugherty.

For the game, the Eagles out shot the Hawks 15-13, with both teams collecting four corners apiece.

Paine and Ali Wean both tallied two shots on net for Saint Joseph's. DiEnna was the hard-luck loser, falling to 2-3-0 on the season, despite making five saves.

Miller and teammate Katelynn Donovan both recorded two shots on goal for the Eagles.

With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls to 2-3-0, while American improves to 3-2-0.

The Hawks will face host Georgetown Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the round-robin formatted tournament.