Baltimore – Sydni Black scored her first goal of the game early in the second quarter to take the first lead for Loyola University Maryland women's lacrosse on Friday afternoon, and they did not look back, as they defeated American University 15-5 in their Patriot League opener.
 
In what was a low scoring first quarter, the Eagles (1-2 overall, 0-1 Patriot League) got on the board first with a goal from Hanna Spease at the 12:11 mark to take the early lead.
 
Chase Boyle scored the Greyhounds (2-0 overall, 1-0 Patriot League) tying goal with 8:33 remaining in the first quarter, as both teams would remain scoreless over the last 8 minutes of the quarter to remain tied 1-1.
 
Loyola's offense began to click early in the second quarter however, as Sydni Black scored on a free position goal just 28 seconds into the quarter. She added another goal just 35 seconds later, unassisted, to take a two-goal lead.
 
The Greyhounds offense continued to fire on all cylinders, as they went on to score three goals between the 11:20 and 10:33 mark of the second quarter. The first goal coming from Georgia Latch on a assist from Black, which was followed by Avery Ruhnke's first career goal, just 27 seconds later, off an assist from Anna Ruby. Latch went on to add her second, as Loyola took a 6-1 lead.
 
Chase Boyle scored two goals with under 1:30 remaining in the half, as the Greyhounds took a commanding 8-2 halftime lead.
 
Coming out of halftime, Ruhnke added her second goal, coming from a assist from Latch. Black would add her third and fourth goals of the day over a 2:15 minute stretch in the third quarter, to take a 11-2 lead with 9:06 remaining.
 
Elisa Faklaris joined in on the scoring, as she scored her first goal of the season, once again from a Georgia Latch assist.
 
Early in the fourth, Oliva Blanding scored her first career goal, assisted by Latch, who finished the day with four assists, as Loyola went on to win 15-5.
 
The Greyhounds held the Eagles to just 7 shots on goal on the afternoon, and won the draw control battle, 17-4.
 
Latch finished with a game-high 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists), while Black scored 4 goals in the second straight game, to go along with 2 assists. Chase Boyle added 4 goals on the day, to go along with 8 draw controls.
 
Five different Eagles scored goals on the day, while Caleigh Forti made 13 saves in goal.
 
The Greyhounds will resume non-conference play next Wednesday, as they face local rival Johns Hopkins at 4:00 PM.