Dukes Drop Opener to 2nd-Ranked UNC, 11-7

Saturday, February 6

Harrisonburg, Va.

Noon

James Madison University

0-1

North Carolina

1-0

North Carolina

James Madison

2/6/2016 3:00:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Second-ranked North Carolina scored five straight goals in the first half and James Madison was unable to climb out of the deficit, despite a strong second half, falling 11-7 in the 2016 season opener on Saturday afternoon at University Park.

Trailing 10-4 at halftime, the Dukes (0-1) clamped down on defense in the second half, outscoring the Tar Heels (1-0) 3-1 in the frame and forcing the visitors into six turnovers. JMU was led by senior midfielder Jaci Gordon, who tallied a team-best three points on two goal and an assist. Junior attacker Leah Monticello also recording a multi-point afternoon with one goal and one assist. JMU's other goal scorers were sophomore midfielder Elena Romesburg, senior midfielder Taylor Gress, sophomore attacker Kristen Gaudian and senior midfielder Brooks Lawler.

JMU was outshot 28-25 by Carolina, including 21-14 in shots on goal. Caylee Waters picked up the win in net for the Heels, making seven saves, while sophomore Kaitlin Martindale, making her first career start, made 10 saves in the loss.

The Dukes won the draw-control battle, 12-8, which included an impressive 11-4 advantage in the first half. Romesburg and UNC's Sammy Jo Tracy tied for game-high honors with five draw controls each, while sophomore midfielder Haley Warden added four draw controls. UNC finished the game 12 of 16 on clears while JMU was 10 of 13 in clearing opportunities.

Molly Hendrick led the Tar Heels with a game-high four goals and added an assist for five points. Aly Messinger had two goals and two assists while Tracy added two goals, an assist and three ground balls.

JMU took an early 2-1 lead with back-to-back goals by Romesburg and Monticello a little less than five minutes into the contest, but the Tar Heels responded with five straight goals in a span of 9:58 to grab a 6-2 lead with 14:34 left in the half. JMU scored two of three to make it 7-4, but Carolina reeled off three in a row over the final 7:33 to take a 10-4 lead into the locker room. After a UNC goal midway through the second, JMU's defense never allowed another goal, and the Dukes tacked on three straight to close out the game.

DEFENSE STANDS TALL IN SECOND HALF
After conceding 10 first-half goals, JMU locked down its defensive third of the field over the final 30 minutes, allowing just one goal on 11 shots. Kaitlin Martindale made five saves on six shots on net during the frame.

PHOTO OF THE GAME - click here for the full photo gallery

ROMESBURG SOLID ON THE DRAW
Elena Romesburg had just three draw controls all of last season, never amassing more than one in a single game. In Saturday's opener the sophomore tied for game-high honors with a career-best five draw controls to help JMU lead the category 12-8 over UNC.

PLAY OF THE GAME - watch full highlights here

Brooks Lawler spins past the defender for a second-half goal on Saturday.

NEXT UP
The Dukes will have 12 days to prepare for their next game as they battle in-state foe Virginia Tech on Thursday, Feb. 18 at University Park. First draw is set for 4 p.m.