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April 17, 2004 | Stats

Junior attacker Rebecca Copeland had three goals and an assists in a 13-6 win over Holy Cross on Saturday. Copeland is now just two points from being only the fifth Eagle to accumulate 100 career points.

WASHINGTON — American University women’s lacrosse used its offensive firepower, outshooting visiting Holy Cross, 35-13, and its defensive prowess, accumulating a season-high 16 caused turnovers, en route to a 13-6 win over the Crusaders in Patriot League play Saturday at Reeves Field.

Despite outshooting the Crusaders, 18-8, in the first period, AU held a precarious two-goal lead at halftime. However, the Eagles scored the first three goals of the second stanza, including one each by Rebecca Copeland (Webster, N.Y./Webster) and Moriah Linnell (Antrim, N.H./Contoocook Valley) to pull ahead, 8-3.

Copeland and Linnell each had three goals, with Linnell’s goals all coming off free-position shots. Copeland added an assist, and with her four points, she is now just two points away from becoming just the fifth Eagle to score 100 points in a career.

The Eagles’ defense stepped up, as well. AU racked up a season-high 16 caused turnovers, including three each by seniors Lynn Brandon (Exton, Pa./Henderson) and Tara Michael (Owings, Md./South River), playing in their last regular season home games for AU. In addition, American held Holy Cross to just 13 shots, the second-lowest output by an AU opponent all season. Sophomore goaltender Kathleen Finnegan (Arnold, Md./St. Mary’s) stopped four shots and caused two turnovers.

Holy Cross falls to 7-8 overall, 2-4 in the Patriot League. The Crusaders fall a half-game behind the idle Lafayette for the fourth and final spot in the Patriot League Championship Tournament, to be held May 1-2.

With the win, AU improves to 7-6 on the season, 5-0 in Patriot League play. The victory could set up a key matchup between AU and Colgate on Saturday, April 24, in Hamilton, N.Y., for the right to host the league tournament. Currently, AU is a half-game ahead of the Raiders, who host Lehigh today.