Strong First Half Powers JMU to 5-2 Win at Drexel

Sunday, October 9

Philadelphia, Pa.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

(9-3, 3-1CAA)

Drexel

(6-7, 1-1CAA)

JMU

Drexel

10/9/2016 4:30:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score @JMU_FieldHockey FH on Facebook FH on Instagram Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – A first-half onslaught powered James Madison field hockey (9-3, 3-1 CAA) to a 5-2 win at Drexel (6-7, 1-1 CAA) on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association action.

All five JMU goals came in the first half. Sophomore forward Ashley Gippe led the Dukes with four points courtesy of two goals. Junior midfielder Hannah Hall was second with three points on the day's opening goal and an assist on the second.

The Dragons took the 11-5 shot edge in the second half, with seven attempts on goal. The JMU defense battled against the attack, including defensive saves from junior defender McKenzie Ridgely and freshman defender Florien Sondern.

The Dukes return home on Friday, Oct. 14 for a 6 p.m. contest against Richmond before hitting the road for Lafayette on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.

QUOTING HEAD COACH CHRISTY MORGAN
"We played connected hockey during the first half, the style of hockey we're creating at JMU. Drexel is a great team and fought back really hard in the second half. I'm excited to come off of a long road trip with two wins against two good teams. We are continuing to grow every day."

SERIES STATS
JMU has now won four straight games against Drexel and leads the all-time series 12-7-0. The Dukes are 5-3-0 all-time when facing the Dragons in Philadelphia, Pa.

MAKING THE SAVE
Today marked the first time this season the Dukes were credited with multiple defensive saves. McKenzie Ridgely now has two for her career, both notched this weekend, while Florien Sondern also now has two for her career. Junior goalkeeper Sara Kraeutler tallied four saves in the victory over a full 70 minutes in the cage.

INDIVIDUAL NUMBERS

Ashley Gippe tied her career highs in goals (2) and points (4).
Melissa Wilken scored her first goal since Sept. 11, 2016 at No. 2 Duke.
Sophomore forward Miranda Rigg has a team-high 15 goals and 30 points after her score today. She leads the league in goals (7) and points (12) in CAA play.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Keep it up! https://t.co/zslyGIUmHn
— JMU Sports Blog (@JMUsportsblog) October 9, 2016

CAA LANDSCAPE
The Dukes are two-thirds of the way through conference play and sit at 3-1 overall, good for second in the CAA standings. No. 9 Delaware leads the way at 3-0. JMU still has two CAA games left to play, taking on William & Mary (2-1) and Hofstra (1-1) over the final two weekends of the regular season.

UP NEXT
JMU makes a quick stop at home to take on Richmond Friday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. The Dukes have won seven of the last nine meetings with the Spiders and hold an all-time series lead at 37-5-1.