Dukes Hammer UNCW in 4-0 Senior Day Win

Sunday, October 16

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

8-8-0, 5-2-0CAA

UNCW

8-5-3, 2-3-2CAA

UNCW

James Madison

10/16/2016 4:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score @JMUWSoccer 2016 Schedule 2016 Statistics Photo Gallery Video Recap

HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison women's soccer scored four goals for the second match in a row on Sunday evening, as the Dukes cruised to a 4-0 Colonial Athletic Association victory over UNCW in their regular-season home finale at Sentara Park.

Four different players picked up a goal for the Dukes, who improved to 8-8 (5-2 CAA) with the win, their fourth in a row, and clinching their fourth straight CAA Tournament berth. UNCW, which is on the bubble for the six-team CAA tournament in seventh place, fell to 8-5-3 (2-3-2 CAA) in the loss.

Freshman Haley Crawford continued her stellar weekend, picking up another goal and another assist after scoring once and grabbing a pair of assists in Friday's win over College of Charleston. Sophomore Steffi Page led the Dukes with three shots, while Crawford and junior Colleen Gawkins each added a pair. In all, the Dukes outshot UNCW by a 15-6 margin, including a 7-1 spread in the second half.

For the second match in a row, JMU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening minutes, with Page and senior Sydney Braun-McLeod each scoring before the six-minute mark.

Page opened things in the fourth minute, picking up a short through ball from senior Allie Bunner and hammering home her sixth goal of the year from 15 yards out. Braun-McLeod doubled the Dukes' advantage just two minutes later when she squared up her defender 20 yards from goal, took a touch and lofted a chip over the keeper and off the underside of the crossbar to make it 2-0.

Senior Allison Bortell picked up her second goal of the season in the 31st minute, when her volley of Crawford's corner kick spun into the net to make it 3-0. Crawford then sealed the match herself in the 56th minute. After picking off a crucial pass in the midfield for the second straight contest, she won a footrace to the box and slotted home the one-on-one chance from 15 yards to put JMU up, 4-0.

The JMU defense had a stellar match throughout, keeping the Seahawks from seeing any clear chances, as freshman Hannah McShea needed just two saves across 62:33 to preserve the victory. Sophomore Olivia Miller and senior Bri Klein each saw time over the final half-hour, marshalling the defense as the Dukes closed out the shutout.

Carolyn Huddy started the match in goal for UNCW, making two saves across 59:59, while Liisa Rahkola recorded one of her own in the final 30:01.

QUOTING COACH LOMBARDO | COMPLETE VIDEO RECAP
"This was another complete match from us. We've jumped out to early leads in the last two matches and that really has a way of breaking an opponent's will, so I'm really proud of the intensity these ladies have brought right from the first whistle. Our backline, led by Lizzy Lazzaro and Allison Bortell has really stepped up for us, as well."

"This senior class made an immediate impact as freshmen and have continued to raise the bar throughout their careers. JMU has never won back-to-back CAA Championships and I hope they get the chance to change that and make that their legacy."

TWEET OF THE MATCH

@JMUWSoccer getting it done today! Out to a 3-0 lead in the first half. #jmudukes #gettingw's
— Sean O'Regan (@CoachOJMU) October 16, 2016

AROUND THE CAA
After Sunday's action, the Dukes are tied atop the league with Northeastern, with each side sporting a 5-2 (15 pts) mark in league play heading into the final weekend. Drexel is just behind in third place at 4-2-2 (14 pts), followed by William & Mary (4-3; 12 pts), Charleston (3-3-1; 10 pts) and Towson (3-4; 9 pts).

The top seed in the league will host the CAA semifinals and finals, with the top two seeds receiving byes through the first round, which will match up the #3-#6 and #4-#5 seeds at the higher seeds' home stadiums.

PHOTO OF THE MATCH | COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY
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The Dukes' seniors and their families line up for the national anthem prior to Sunday's match.

SALUTING THE SENIORS
Prior to the match, the Dukes recognized their six seniors: Bri Klein, Allie Bunner, Sydney Braun-McLeod, Ashley Herndon, Allison Bortell and Jennie Sroba.

The 2016 seniors have already racked up 49 wins across their four seasons as Dukes, a stretch that has included a pair of trips to the CAA Finals and the 2015 CAA Championship, the fourth title in program history.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will hit the road for their final weekend of regular-season competition, as they head north for contests at Hofstra (10/21; 7 p.m.) and Northeastern (10/23; 1 p.m.) this week. Hofstra currently sits in 10th at 8-7-1 (2-5 CAA), while Northeastern is tied with the Dukes atop the CAA standings at 10-6-1 (5-2 CAA).