On a windy day at UMBC Stadium it was business as usual as the women’s lacrosse team bested American University 14-12. UMBC had troubles early on in the first half going down 4-0.
The defense had some issues in controlling the offense of the Eagles in the early stages of the scoring run, with two goals coming off a collapsed defense. The other two goals came off free position shots, a goal from junior emergency health services major Sara Moeller stopped an Eagles run and got the Retrievers on the board at the 14:12 mark in the first half.
UMBC cut the deficit to two with a goal scored by senior Carolyn Jamison. The Eagles continued to keep the pressure on the Retrievers as they added to their lead with three straight goals to extend the lead to 7-2. This didn’t deter the Retrievers from fighting back, as senior Taylor Oliver promptly responded with a goal after a nice move to create space and get an inside position for the easy score.
As a strong gust of wind brushed across the field, so did the fierce scoring from UMBC as they too went on a quick scoring run following Oliver’s score with two scores from Moeller and senior Caitlin Miller from a free position shot. AU responded with a free position goal in the closing seconds of the half to give themselves a 8-5 lead.
The second half we witnessed the old Retriever team that buries their opponents with their tremendous defense and potent offense. UMBC jumped out of the gates with two goals to cut the lead to one. AU responded with a score that put them back up by two. There was a rambunctious crowd shouting their varied opinions on the calls administered by the refs, but it would not prevent the Retrievers from staying focused on the game.
Both teams traded scores within the first eight minutes of the second half. With the Retrievers still down by two, they turned on the jets and began to score at will. Miller started the comeback with a score off an assist from Moeller, while on the next scoring possession came from a free position shot from Moeller.
That score tied the game at 11 apiece and UMBC carried that momentum into the latter half of the game preventing the Eagles from responding as they took the lead and never looking back. UMBC scored 5 unanswered goals during this hot streak to put them ahead 14-11. The Eagles would score at the 10 minute mark and UMBC would hold on to win 14-12, pushing their record to 4-1. Moeller lead the team with six goals, four of them coming in the second half, while Miller had three of her own.
UMBC will look to continue their run with a win against Coastal Carolina and another against Duquesne last week, leaving them at 6-1 on the season.
