#19 JMU Suffers First Loss of Season, 2-1 at American

Sunday, September 4

Washington, D.C.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

(3-1)

American

(3-1)

JMU

American

9/4/2016 5:39:00 PM | Field Hockey

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – No. 19 James Madison field hockey fell 2-1 Sunday afternoon in its first road game of the season, despite outshooting American 19-10.

Sophomore forward Miranda Rigg scored the lone JMU goal, coming off the bench to send a shot inside the right post and cut the deficit to one (2-1) with just under 25 minutes left to play. The Dukes outshot the Eagles 12-2 after Rigg's goal and pulled junior goalkeeper Sara Kraeutler with 1:03 left to play, but their offensive attack came up short.

Kraeutler finished the day with two goals against and four saves while American's goalie Maura Jacobs allowed one score and made eight saves to secure the win for the Eagles.

American won the battle in penalty corners at 9-5, including a 6-2 advantage over the first half, but the Eagles were unable to capitalize on the set play opportunities over the first 35 minutes.

Tied at 0-0, the Eagles came out of halftime firing and jumped on the board first just 58 seconds out of the break. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead nine minutes when Lucy Whalley powered in a penalty corner rebound.

JMU continues its road swing next weekend with a trip to No. 4 Duke on Sunday, Sept. 11. The Dukes and Blue Devils face off in Durham, N.C. at 1 p.m.

QUOTING COACH MORGAN
"We had an amazing effort at times, and that's what we will use to grow from. We created a lot of scoring opportunities against a good team and were an inch away from greatness today. We'll go back to the drawing board and grow the toughness to finish in preparation for our next game."

@JMU_FieldHockey go girls go. Sending good luck from South Africa
— Adrienne wilson (@awilson60) September 4, 2016

AGAINST AMERICAN
JMU holds a 23-11 edge over American all-time, though the Eagles hold a 9-6 lead in contests held outside of Harrisonburg, Va. Of the last seven overall meetings between JMU and American, six have been one-point decisions. Over this span, the Dukes hold a 4-3 lead over the Eagles.

STATS FOR RIGG
Miranda Rigg finished the weekend with four goals, half of her complete season total from a year ago. She contributed to eight of the Dukes' 17 points this weekend and put 50.0 percent of her team-high shot attempts on goal (9-18).

UP NEXT
The Dukes continue their trek on the road with No. 4 Duke Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. JMU is on a run that includes four of five games away from home before the end of the month.