The AU women’s lacrosse team opened its season with an 11-6 loss to High Point University in High Point, N.C. on Feb. 8.
High Point and AU were evenly matched through the first half, but the Panthers capitalized on the Eagles’ exposed defense in the second half.
“A strong defensive effort fell short as High Point capitalized on fast break opportunities in the second half,” head coach Emma Wallace told AUEagles.com.
The Eagles (0-1, 0-0 PL) got off to an early lead with the first goal of the season by sophomore attacker Terese Buechli with the help of junior attacker Jordan Harrington. The Panthers (1-0, 0-0 Big South) answered back quickly with a goal off a free position shot three minutes later.
Sophomore midfielder Jessica Wojciechowski scored a free position shot of herself at 25:15. High Point rolled, scoring two goals within two minutes and taking a one score lead. To tie the game junior attacker Jordan Harrington scored an unassisted goal quickly.
High Point went back on the offensive and came out strong scoring another two goals within 10 seconds of each other. AU down two points with 15 minutes to remaining got more aggressive.
At 10:19 the Eagles were able to break through. A free position goal by junior midfielder Jamie Silverman brought AU within one. The final ten minutes of the first half lacked the same amount of scoring. With two minutes to go, sophomore midfielder Olivia Mangan scored an unassisted goal to take the Eagles into halftime tied 5-5.
AU started the second half poorly allowing four goals in the first five minutes. With four goal lead High Point went into a defensive game only allowing AU one more goal which came with 21 seconds to go by Buechli.
Freshman goalie Jackie Ferri made her AU debut with 10 saves in the loss. AU would lose the battle of turnovers 22-18, and draw controls 22-18.
“We will need to focus on finishing opportunities in the offensive end and taking better care of the ball prior to our home opener,” Wallace said.
The Eagles will have their home opener Feb. 16 against Campbell University.
