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April 9, 2003 | Stats

Rebecca Copeland scored three goals for the ninth time this season.

WASHINGTON — After holding a 7-6 lead at halftime, the American University women’s lacrosse team was unable to score in the second half as Richmond netted six goals to win, 12-7. AU (8-4) was led by three goals by Rebecca Copeland and Gina Riitano. Kathleen Finnegan saved 16 shots for the Eagles as the Spiders (7-5) fired 38 shots compared to only 12 for AU.

The match started well for the Eagles as Copeland scored off an assist from Riitano just over a minute into the game. Riitano then scored on a free position shot to put AU up, 2-0. After a free position goal by Libby Berlacher, Copeland answered with one of her own and Riitano scored off a feed from Laura Repoli as Richmond was forced to call timeout.

Richmond then netted three consecutive goals with two coming from Katie Dolan. The teams traded goals before Tara Michael scored an unassisted goal with 3:24 remaining in the first half to put the Eagles up, 7-6.

The Spiders dominated the second stanza, knotting the game less than three minutes in on a free position shot by Polly Purcell. Kristen Habicht scored an unassisted goal with 24:54 remaining to put Richmond up for good. The Spiders scored four more goals in the match for the 12-7 victory.

Richmond controlled every offensive category in the match, holding a 44-28 advantage on ground balls and a 17-4 margin in draw controls. The Eagles only took three shots in the second half, all of which were saved by Jennifer McGibbon. Nicole McCarthy had five ground balls for the Eagles, setting the AU career record for ground balls with 188.

The Eagles play at Holy Cross on Saturday at 12 p.m. in AU’s Patriot League finale. A win clinches the regular season title for the Eagles and home field advantage in the Patriot League Tournament.