No. 19 JMU Falls 1-0 to No. 10 Delaware in CAA Opener

Friday, September 30

Harrisonburg, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

(6-3, 0-1CAA)

Delaware

(9-2, 1-0CAA)

Delaware

JMU

9/30/2016 9:20:00 PM | Field Hockey

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – A goal in the 17^th minute of play proved the difference in No. 19 James Madison field hockey's 1-0 loss to No. 10 Delaware in a rain-soaked Colonial Athletic Association opener on Friday night.

The Blue Hens' (9-2) Lisa Giezeman tipped in the lone goal of the evening off a penalty corner shot by Kiki Bink just 16:54 into the game. This is the Dukes' (6-3) first shutout of the season and first since Oct. 30, 2015 (L, 2-0 to then-No. 7 Virginia).

Delaware outshot JMU 10-3 overall, including a 5-0 edge in the second half, and 7-1 in shots-on-goal, forcing junior goalkeeper Sara Kraeutler to make six saves. The Blue Hens also held the edge in penalty corners 3-1.

JMU's best opportunities for the equalizer came over the final 10:25 of regulation as UD's Greta Nauck was sidelined with a 10-minute yellow card. Playing a man up, the Dukes battled for possession in their attacking zone, but could not corral the ball in their favor.

The Dukes are back in CAA action on Sunday, Oct. 2, with a home contest against Towson at 1 p.m.

SERIES NOTES

The series between JMU and Delaware is now tied at 10-10 overall.
All 10 of Delaware's wins in the series have come by a one-goal margin.
This is the first time since Oct. 18, 2002, the Blue Hens have kept the Dukes scoreless (L, 1-0 at JMU).

TWEET OF THE DAY

GO DUKES ???? https://t.co/F4qPFs8fb9
— Margo Savage (@MargoSavage_1) September 30, 2016

CAA REMATCH
Tonight marked the rematch of both the 2014 and 2015 CAA title games, both of which Delaware won 2-1. It also marked the first time JMU lost its CAA opener since 2014, a 6-5 double overtime loss to the Blue Hens in Harrisonburg (Oct. 3).

RANKED FOES
JMU is now 2-2 against ranked opponents this season. The Dukes hold wins over then-No. 13 Liberty (3-2) and then-No. 13 Old Dominion (2-1) as well as a loss (7-1) at then-No. 2 Duke.

PHOTO OF THE DAY
The rain poured down on the Dukes and Blue Hens for most of Friday night's game. Check out the full gallery here.

STATS TO KNOW

This marked the first home loss for JMU this season (4-1).
All three JMU shot attempts came from sophomore Miranda Rigg.
Tonight's three shot attempts were the fewest by the team this season and fewest since taking three shot attempts against Old Dominion on Sept. 28, 2014.
Tonight's one penalty corner attempt is the fewest by the team this season. It is also the fewest since JMU was awarded zero penalty corners in a 4-0 loss to Old Dominoin on Sept. 28, 2014.

UP NEXT
JMU and Towson return to CAA action in Harrisonburg, Va., on Sunday. The Dukes are 21-1-0 all-time against the Tigers with a 21-game win-streak. The last time JMU lost to Towson was Oct. 1, 1976 on the Tigers' home field. The Dukes have never lost to Towson at home.