April 5, 2003

WASHINGTON, D.C. - American University rode a five goal flurry midway through the second half to a 14-7 Patriot League victory over the Villanova Wildcats in women's lacrosse action here on Saturday afternoon.

American (8-3 overall, 4-1 Patriot League) broke an early 1-1 deadlock on a goal by Rebecca Copeland at the 22:52 mark of the first period. The Eagles would not trail the rest of the afternoon. Copeland's score was followed by goals from Nadia Harmsen and Gina Riitano to build a 4-1 cushion. Sophomore Bess Hanley (Lutherville, Md.) scored a pair of goals for Villanova (4-5 overall, 1-3 Patriot League) before halftime but American still took a 5-3 lead at the break.

The Eagles added two goals in the first five minutes of the second half to extend the lead to 7-3. Sophomore Amy Rocap (Vienna, Va.) and freshman Leslie McDermott (Oak Hill, Va.) scored a pair of goals for Villanova to slice the deficit to 7-5 with 20:31 left to play in the second half. But American scored the next five goals to put the contest out of reach.

Harmsen, Copeland and Riitano each scored three goals for the Eagles while Hanley's two paced Villanova. Senior midfielder Meghan Carolan (Hicksville, N.Y.) picked up a pair of assists for the Wildcats in defeat.

Next up for Villanova is a visit to the University of Pennsylvania on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.