PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle University lacrosse team opened the 2006 home season on Tuesday afternoon, hosting the American Eagles at McCarthy Stadium.  On a blustery cold day, the Explorers were edged out 9-6 by the Eagles, dropping to 1-3 for the season, while American picked up its first win to stand at 1-2.

The Explorer came out on fire in the first half, controlling the game from the first face off.  Freshman Maura Kenville drew a foul from American, and capitalized on an early free position shot to score first just 3:17 into the contest.  Fellow freshman Mara Sardella chipped in La Salle's second goal just 39 seconds later to give the Explorers a 2-0 advantage.

American's Lauren Askinoff took advantage of a La Salle foul to earn the Eagles first goal on a free position shot with 19:14 to play in the first half.  With the 10-minute mark approaching, Lauren Lane accepted a pass from Askinoff to knot the score a two goals each. 

Eagles leading scorer Moriah Linnell scored her first goal of the afternoon with the help of Lane to put the Eagles ahead 3-2 with 6:57 to play.  La Salle's Emily Bonczek tied the score again with an unassisted goal at the 24:46 mark, before Linnell dropped in her second of the day 28 seconds later.

With time running down in the half, La Salle made a move to tie the game, American got the ball back and with 12 seconds to play before the intermission, Brittany Finnegan scored on a free position goal to take a two goal lead at 5-3.

After the break, La Salle junior Tiffany Grossi made a move to put the game within one at 5-4 with 25:04 remaining in regulation.  But that was as close as the Explorers would get, as American went on a 4-0 run between the 40:04 and 55:41 marks.

The Explorers attempted a late surge, with co-captain Kristen Davis netting back-to-back goals and closing out the scoring with La Salle down 9-6.

Goalkeeper Chantelle McCormick tallied 10 saves while facing 22 shots.  At the other end of the field, American's Kathleen Finnegan recorded nine saves on 21 shots.

The Explorers controlled the ground, picking up 30 ground balls to American's 12.  The teams were evenly matched on the draw, with the Eagles holding a 9-8 advantage.

La Salle will hit the road to visit the Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.