Dukes Drop 12-10 Decision at Connecticut

Sunday, February 21

Storrs, Conn.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

1-2

Connecticut

2-0

James Madison

UCONN

2/21/2016 4:08:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score

The James Madison lacrosse team climbed out of an early first-half deficit but Connecticut used timely scoring and big defensive stops as the 20th-ranked Dukes fell 12-10 on Sunday at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex. The loss dropped JMU's record to 1-2 this season while UConn improved to 2-0.

Senior midfielder Jaci Gordon scored a team-best four points on three goals and one assist while sophomore midfielder Elena Romesburg tallied a career-best three goals, all in the first half. Senior attacker Betsy Angel also scored two second-half goals and senior midfielder Taylor Gress contributed two points on a goal and an assist.

Both teams fired 23 shots on the afternoon with the Dukes holding a 22-18 advantage in shots on goal, but Connecticut goalkeeper Shannon Nee made 12 saves, including two in the closing minute to preserve the win. UConn was led by Katherine Finkelston and Jacqueline Jordon, who both scored four goals.

UConn led 13-11 on draw controls and had 16 ground balls, to JMU's 11. In what would be a very physical game, the teams combined for 42 turnovers, as JMU forced 15 of UConn's 24 giveaways.

Down 3-0 early, Romesburg sparked the JMU offense, scoring the team's first three goals in a span of 3:52 to get the Dukes to within a goal at 4-3 with 19:52 left in the half. Gordon tied the game less than 90 seconds later and Gress put JMU ahead, 5-4, with 17:42 to go in the first. UConn tied it late in the half to make it a 5-5 game at the break.

UConn held JMU without its next goal for 21:28, until Angel tied it at 6-6 with 26:14 remaining in the second. After teams traded goals, Finkelston put the hosts up for goad with 18:41 to go. Trailing 10-8, sophomore midfielder Haley Warden ripped a low shot past the keeper to make it a one-goal game, but UConn scored goals 12 seconds apart to extend the lead to 12-9 with 5:15 to go.

QUOTING HEAD COACH SHELLEY KLAES-BAWCOMBE
"Give credit to UConn. I thought that they did a great job capitalizing off our mistakes from the offensive end and never allowed us to gain momentum today. I thought ultimately JMU did not follow the game plan, which is disappointed considering we executed it to a T against Virginia Tech. Despite all of that, we were still in the game and had opportunities to win the game, but we didn't show the composure to finish on the offensive end when we had the opportunity."

ROMESBURG'S CAREER DAY CAME QUICKLY
Elena Romesburg came into Sunday's game with five career goals, and two during her sophomore campaign but she netted JMU's first three goals for a new career high in both goals and points.

"When she has the ball, she's looking for ways to score," Klaes-Bawcombe said. "She just did what we ask all of our players to do in the attacking end. She was being a threat and being aggressive on goal."

ZABEL A FORCE DEFENSIVELY
Anne Zabel received extended playing time on Sunday and made the most of her opportunity. The senior defender tallied three ground balls and a game-high six caused turnovers.

"As a senior, she's hungry right now," Klaes-Bawcombe said. "She's not letting her role impact her intensity. She was a huge spark for us off the bench today. I'm proud of her vision and anticipation skills to get the ground balls and composure to keep the ball and get it out of traffic to preserve possession. She was awesome today."

NEXT UP
JMU returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 28 when it travels to High Point for a 3 p.m. matchup at Vert Stadium.