HARRISONBURG, Va. - Three second-half goals lifted Northwestern past James Madison on Sunday afternoon, as the Dukes dropped a 3-0 decision in the final match of the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Women's Soccer Invitational at University Park.
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The Wildcats scored two goals in the final seven minutes to put a tightly-contested match out of reach late, dropping JMU to 0-2 on the young season. Northwestern improved to 2-0 after an overtime victory this past Friday.
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The Dukes' potent offense was largely held in check, despite holding much of the possession throughout the first period and in the minutes following halftime. Senior forward Ashley Herndonpaced JMU with a trio of shots, while freshman Haley Crawford and senior Allison Bortellnotched the Dukes' only shots on goal on the afternoon.
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Northwestern got on the board in the 63rd minute when Grace Orndoff poked in the eventual game-winner after a deflected free kick bounced off the post and fell to her at the six-yard line. After a sustained attack from JMU, the Wildcats doubled their lead in the 84th minute with a short-range strike from Maddy Lucas before closing the scoring on a penalty kick from Brenna Lovera in the 87th minute.
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JMU and Northwestern each tallied nine shots on the afternoon, though the Wildcats put four of their attempts on frame to the Dukes' two. Lauren Clem saved both to keep the Dukes off the board for the afternoon, while sophomore Olivia Millertallied one save in the loss.
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The Dukes hit the road for the first time this week, traveling to Richmond on Friday, August 26, to face the Spiders in a 7:30 p.m. bout. JMU returns home two days later, welcoming No. 17 Virginia Tech to University Park for the first time in 2013 in a 7 p.m. match on Sunday, August 28.
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