Dukes Rally Past Phoenix 9-7 to Stay Unbeaten in CAA Play

Friday, April 15

Elon, N.C.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

8-7 (4-0CAA)

Elon

8-5 (1-2CAA)

James Madison

Elon

Dukes Rally Past Phoenix 9-7 to Stay Unbeaten in CAA Play

4/15/2016 10:23:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – James Madison scored six of the game's final eight goals, capped off by two over the final 2:27, to rally past Elon for a 9-7 Colonial Athletic Association women's lacrosse victory on Friday night at Rudd Field.

The Dukes improved to 8-7 on the year and stayed unbeaten in CAA play at 4-0, while the Phoenix fell to 8-5 and 1-2. It was JMU's second conference win when trailing at halftime and the third second-half comeback triumph of the season.

With the game tied at 7-7, junior attacker Cristina McCarthy buried a free-position goal with 2:27 remaining to give JMU a one-goal lead. A post-goal foul by Elon awarded the ensuing draw control to the Dukes and JMU was able to evade Elon's defensive pressure, ultimately resulting in an insurance score by senior attacker Betsy Angel with only seven seconds left.

"This was the biggest we win had all year," Head Coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe said. "Elon is a great team, I thought their defensive unit was really solid and I thought their goalie stepped up too, making some key eight-meter saves, Against the zone, we want to get eight-meters and yet we were hesitant on them. I'm really proud of this team, we played our best game of the season and we beat a great team in Elon."

Senior midfielder Jaci Gordon led the way with a game-high three goals to go with two ground balls. McCarthy netted two goals, including the eventual game winner while Angel notched one goal and a game-best two assists.

Senior midfielder Taylor Gress spearheaded JMU's dominance on the draw, garnering a career-high five draw controls. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlin Martindale earned the win between the pipes, making four saves on 11 shots on goal faced. JMU outshot Elon 19-17, including 14-11 in shots on goal. The Dukes controlled the midfield with a 13-5 margin in draw controls and edging the Phoenix 7-6 in ground balls.

Elon was paced by Shelby Scanlin's three goals and three draw controls.

JMU trailed 5-3 late in the first half but Gordon's tally with 1:42 remaining in the stanza sparked a 4-0 JMU run, which gave the Dukes a 7-5 advantage with 22:19 to play. Elon, which was held scoreless for 17:24, squared the game at 7-7 after tallying two in a row before JMU closed the game with the final two goals.

QUOTING COACH KLAES-BAWCOMBE
"We've had a lot of road games so we're very experienced with that now and we're letting the excuses go and just playing the game and their mental resilience really showed today. We made some adjustments on the defensive end with how we were sliding once we saw their offensive formation, and it's how we solidified and tightened up defensively. We had a couple key saves when we needed it and we picked up ground balls. Aside from that, it was draw controls. We continued to dominate that in the second half and over time it had more wear and tear against Elon."

QUOTING JACI GORDON
"We showed great composure in every aspect of play all over the field. I thought we showed great composure and great patience and that was our focus on the attack, so we executed that well. On defense, we showed great resilience and were able to have great energy and powerful decisions and it transferred throughout the field."

DEFENSE COMES THROUGH AGAIN
JMU found itself in a two-goal deficit but the defense held Elon without a goal for more than 17 minutes to bridge the halves, while scoring four straight goals to take a 7-5 lead. After Elon tied it with 6:36 to play, the Phoenix never held possession again as JMU struck for two goals in the final 2:37 while winning all three draw controls.

PUNCHING A TICKET TO PHILLY
JMU officially clinched a spot in the 2016 CAA Championship with tonight's win and will make its 22nd appearance in 25 years at the conference tournament. The Dukes currently lead Towson (3-0) by a half game in the standings and are 1.5 games up on Drexel. Elon and Hofstra are both 2.5 back at 1-2. JMU can be no lower than a three seed for the Championship.

GRESS SHOWS SKILLS IN MIDFIELD
JMU dominated draw controls in Friday's win by a 13-5 margin and Taylor Gress was a big reason why. She corralled a career-best five draw controls while both Brooks Lawler and Haley Warden had three apiece. JMU won the final three draws, not allowing Elon to have possession for the final 6:36.

UP NEXT
JMU closes the regular season next week when it travels to Delaware (April 22) and Towson (April 24).