WASHINGTON (February 13, 2024) – Howard University women's lacrosse fell to crosstown rival American University, 14-9, at Greene Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
 
The feat drops the Bison to 0-2 while American raises to 1-1.
 
The Bison opened the scoring early when fifth-year Quai Skeete-Ridley (New Carrollton, Md.) connected with the back of the net in the third minute with the help of first-year midfielder Gabrielle Nelson (Cincinnati).
 
Five Eagles made it by the Howard keeper in the first quarter to lead, 5-1, going into frame two.
 
Maya Rhymes (Coatesville, Pa.) made quick work of the first play, making it to the goal in less than 20 seconds, 5-2.
 
HU registered one more goal in the quarter, thanks to Skeete-Ridley to lessen the disadvantage, 5-3. Just shy of a minute later, American doubled the score, 6-3, before tacking on two more to close the quarter, 8-3.
 
The Bison saw a scoring opportunity in the third when HU took a shot that was deflected right back to the Bison, who then put it in the net. The point was called back, but it was not long before the Bison made their way back to the net with Mikayla Mack (Bowie, Md.) netting her first goal this season with 5:30 left in the third, 10-4. The Eagles retaliated widening the gap with back-to-back goals a minute later, 12-4.
 
Just under a minute into the final quarter, Chloe Ronsholdt (Stafford, Va.) notched her first goal at Greene Stadium, 12-5. Scoring picked up as the Eagles posted a goal of their own seconds later, 13-5. It was the older Rhymes twin's turn to join the scoring when Marley Rhymes (Coatesville, Pa.) played clean up and shot one by the Eagle in goal for a 13-6 board. The Bison continued to put up a fight in the fourth when sophomore Chase Coleman (Houston) inched the Bison closer with her goal in the 54^th minute. The Eagles doubled the score a minute later, 14-7, but it was short lived as Tea Vasquez (Oakland, Calif.) got one by the keeper, 14-8. With 45 seconds left in the matchup, Skeete-Ridley pushed the late Bison surge with her first hat trick this season, 14-9.
 
In goal, junior Logan Ford (Charlotte, N.C.) stopped seven shots in her second career start.
 
For the Eagles, Hannah Spease (Bethlehem, Pa.) scored three goals to lead the Eagles. Caleigh Forti (Towson, Md.) was the key player defensively, making 15 saves with a .642 save percentage.
 
HU utilized 36 groundballs to American's 33 while outshooting the Eagles, 29-25.
 
Howard is back on the field February 22 as they face another DMV opponent George Mason at 5 p.m., in Fairfax, Va.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.