Dukes Stumble at Home in 9-6 Loss to #19 Virginia

Wednesday, March 22

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

6-4

Virginia

5-4

Virginia

James Madison

3/22/2017 10:35:00 PM | Lacrosse

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – Despite surging out to an early lead, James Madison lacrosse struggled offensively in the second half, falling 9-6 to No. 19 Virginia on Wednesday night at Sentara Park.

The Cavaliers won their third straight, improving to 5-4 this season, while the Dukes dropped to 6-4. Six different players scored for the Dukes, but they were held without a multi-goal scorer for the first time this season.

Defense dominated JMU's stat sheet, led by junior defender Rebecca Tooker, who had a career-high four ground balls, to go with three caused turnovers and two draw controls. Sophomore defender Caroline Sdanowich matched Tooker with a career-best four ground balls, while adding a pair of caused turnovers. Junior midfielder Haley Warden tallied three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Poelma (6-4) took the loss between the pipes, allowing nine goals with eight saves in 48 minutes of work. Sophomore Ellie Harmeyer finished the final 12 minutes with four saves without conceding a goal.

UVa out-shot JMU 27-18, including 21-15 in shots on goal. The Cavaliers controlled ground balls (24-18) and caused turnovers (15-8), while the Dukes won the draw-control battle (10-7). Virginia was led by Kelly Reese and Besser Dyson, who each recorded hat tricks. Rachel Vander Kolk earned the win in goal, making nine saves on 15 shots on goal.

JMU opened the game with a pair of quick scores, with sophomore midfielder Hanna Haven finding the cage just 42 seconds in, followed by a free-position goal by junior midfielder Elena Romesburg less than 30 seconds later. After taking a 3-1 lead with 17:39 left off a score by senior attacker Leah Monticello, it would be the Dukes' last goal for nearly 16 minutes, as UVa scored four goals just seven minutes apart to take a 5-4 lead into the break.

After conceding a goal early in the second, junior attacker Kristen Gaudian scored on a free-position opportunity to make it 6-5 with just over 20 minutes to play. Turnovers proved to be an issue for the Dukes, who committed 24 in all, allowing for a 3-0 Virginia run to make it 9-5 with 13:18 left. JMU was limited to one goal over the final 20 minutes for its second straight home loss.

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PLAY OF THE GAME

Haley Warden with a goal from wayy out! It's all tied up at 4 with under two minutes left in the first half! pic.twitter.com/S6BqEfl75d
— JMU Lacrosse (@JMULacrosse) March 22, 2017

BACK IN A STARTING ROLE
After being sidelined for nearly 13 months due to a season-ending knee injury last season, Leah Monticello made her first start in 2017 at attack. She scored one goal and collected a ground ball for the Dukes.

CAREER HIGHS COME FROM HUSTLE
Though JMU struggled offensively, a few players turned in career-high numbers in the midfield and defensive third. Rebecca Tooker never had more than two ground balls until Wednesday when she collected four. Caroline Sdanowich also had four ground balls for her new career high, while Emma Johnson won a pair of draw controls, which were the first two of her career.

ON THE LOOKOUT
Following tonight's game, Haley Warden has 24 caused turnovers, which ranks tied for 18th in JMU single-season history. She also has 51 for her career, which is 17th all-time. Warden won one draw control, inching closer to the century mark, at 98. Elena Romesburg scored one free-position goal for the 17th of her career, which moved her into a tie for 17th on JMU's career list.

UP NEXT
JMU continues its five-game homestand Saturday, March 25 when it welcomes in No. 1 Maryland to Sentara Park. The game is slated for a 2 p.m. start and will be streamed live on MadiZONE HD SportsNet, presented by the JMU Alumni Association.