The Georgetown women’s lacrosse team opened its regular season with an emphatic road win, triumphing 20-8 over crosstown rival American University on Feb. 12. After finishing the 2021 season with a 6-10 record, including a loss to the University of Connecticut in the first round of the Big East tournament, the Hoyas were looking to rebound.

Georgetown (1-0, 0-0 Big East) started the game on the back foot as the American Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Patriot League) won the opening two faceoffs and scored twice within the first two minutes to take the lead 2-0.

The Hoyas quickly responded by winning the third faceoff and moving the ball into the Eagles’ attack area. First-year attacker Emma Gebhardt got Georgetown on the board, 2-1, with 11:07 left in the first quarter.

Georgetown dominated draw controls in the opening period – winning 9 of 12 in the first quarter – but was unable to capitalize, allowing American to keep the score close. On 12 possessions directly after a draw control, the Hoyas scored only twice and turned the ball over 4 times. As a result, the game remained tight entering the second quarter, with Georgetown leading 6-5.

Whatever advantage the Hoyas had on draw controls early in the game slipped away after the first quarter, as they won just 4 of 10 in the second. Nonetheless, Georgetown was patient on offense, capitalizing on American’s turnovers and missed shots. The second quarter would prove to be Georgetown’s most prolific of the game as its clinical offensive unit found the net on 7 of its 12 shots.

The Hoyas’ defense improved in the second quarter, conceding just two goals while forcing 5 turnovers. Junior goalkeeper Emily Gaven anchored the Georgetown defensive, making four of her nine saves in the second quarter.

By halftime, the Hoyas started to pull away decidedly and their ascendancy continued in the second half, which they entered up 13-7.

Despite winning just two of 6 draw controls in the third quarter, Georgetown consistently threatened the American goal. The Hoyas converted four of their 10 shots this period into goals, compared to the Eagles’ 1 in 5 successful shot attempts. Georgetown’s defense, led by Big East Defensive Player of the Week graduate defender Nicole Massimino, continued to frustrate the opposition’s offense, recovering 4 ground balls and clearing the ball on 6 tries.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Georgetown held a comfortable 17-8 advantage.

The pace of the game slowed in the fourth quarter but the Hoyas continued to keep their foot on the pedal, winning 3 of 4 draw controls and scoring three unanswered goals to secure a 20-8 victory. American sat back in its own half for much of the fourth quarter, trying to stop the bleeding. On the other end of the field, the Hoyas’ defense proved dominant once more, limiting the Eagles to just two shots, both of which were saved by Gaven.

On offense, Georgetown sophomore midfielder Tatum Geist led the way, tallying 4 goals and 1 assist. Graduate midfielder Erin Bakes and Gebhardt also chipped in with 3 goals and 1 assist each. On defense, Massimino finished with 4 ground balls and 1 forced turnover. Gaven finished with 9 saves for a .529 save percentage — the second highest of her career.

The Hoyas return to action Saturday, Feb. 19 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.