WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gardner-Webb held a 7-6 halftime edge, but dropped a 12-10 decision at American Friday afternoon to open a two-game road swing.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (1-5) started off the scoring quickly, getting an unassisted tally from Amanda Steinmuller with less than two minutes off the first half game clock. American knotted the score three minutes later, but freshman sensation Talen Francis heated up for two quick goals and a 3-1 Gardner-Webb lead with 22:43 left before intermission.

Gardner-Webb led 6-3 after a goal from Abby Hanscom (15:34) and two more from Francis with 9:11 to play before the half. The host Eagles scored twice to trim the lead to one, before Lindsey Lippert took a feed from freshman Hailey Maranto with 6:26 left in the half for a 7-5 edge.

American's Emma Vinall scored with 2:10 to play in the half to cut the lead to 7-6, and neither team would find the net again until the second half.

The Eagles (3-4) came out of the locker room to tie the game, getting a free position score from Lexi Perez with just over six minutes gone off the second half clock. American took the lead on an Izabella Jade goal with 17:17 to play, but Lippert got free off a Steinmuller assist to tie the score once again with 16:54 to go.

American seized control from there, going on a 4-0 run to go up 12-8 with just 8:33 remaining. Gardner-Webb eventually made a run – despite two yellow cards that left the Runnin' Bulldogs at a two player disadvantage late.

That disadvantage didn't matter, as Gardner-Webb rallied regardless. Steinmuller fed Em Dyment with 3:09 to play for a goal that made the score 12-9 – and scored on her own with 1:22 to play to trim the lead to a pair.

Gardner-Webb nearly gained possession on the ensuing draw control, but American was able to shake free with the ball and ran enough time off the clock to hold on.

The Runnin' Bulldogs got four goals – all in the first half – from Francis, and two goals each from Steinmuller and Lippert. Steinmuller added a pair of assists for the 'Dogs. Francis added a game-high four ground balls, and caused a pair of turnovers.

American held a slight shooting advantage (16-14) after the first 30 minutes, but went hard to the cage in the second half, out-shooting Gardner-Webb by a 28-6 margin over the final half hour to finish with a 44-20 edge overall.

Ground balls were virtually even and Gardner-Webb was more efficient on free position shots (3-of-4), with all four chances coming in the opening half.

Katie Sylvester finished the game with 17 saves for the 'Dogs.

American got three goals apiece from Jade and Vinall, while Erica Skowron added three assists.

Gardner-Webb's next test comes on Sunday (March 11), as they travel to face Delaware State at high noon in Dover, Del. It will be the first meeting between the schools in lacrosse.