#18 JMU Celebrates Senior Day with 11-5 Win over Tribe

Sunday, April 9

Harrisonburg, Va.

Noon

James Madison University

9-5, 3-0CAA

William & Mary

3-10, 0-2CAA

William & Mary

James Madison

4/9/2017 3:06:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score @JMULacrosse Box Score Photo Gallery Highlights

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison scored the game's first six goals before the midway point of the first half to cruise to an 11-5 Colonial Athletic Association women's lacrosse victory against William & Mary on Sunday afternoon at Sentara Park.

The Dukes, who celebrated Senior Day for their five seniors, improved to 9-5 overall and 3-0 in the CAA, while the Tribe fell to 3-10 and 0-2.

Junior attacker Katie Kerrigan led the Dukes with a game-high six points off a goal and a career-high five assists, while both senior attacker Margaret Tucker Fogarty and freshman midfielder Maddie McDaniel tied for game-high honors with three goals apiece. Junior attacker Kristen Gaudian provided two goals, while sophomore midfielder Hanna Haven added a pair of assists.

The Dukes once again dominated in the defensive end, conceding just five goals for the third straight game. Junior midfielder Haley Warden tied a career high with five caused turnovers, to go with two ground balls. Junior defender Rebecca Tooker caused three turnovers while matching her personal best with four ground balls. Junior defender Corinne Schmidt had a pair of caused turnovers and collected a career-best five ground balls.

Senior goalie Emily Poelma was solid between the pipes, making eight saves while conceding just four goals in a little less than 46 minutes of action. She also collected two ground balls in the winning decision.

JMU out-shot the Tribe 28-21, including a 19-14 lead in shots on goal. The Dukes also led in draw controls (11-7) and caused turnovers (18-11), while edging W&M in ground balls (24-23). They also saw improvement in the 8-meter game, cashing in on 3-of-4 free-position opportunities.

William & Mary was led by Lindsey Jenks, who scored twice. Abby Junior led the defense with three caused turnovers.

The Dukes jumped out to a sizeable lead early, scoring the game's first six goals in less than 13 minutes of action. All three of JMU's free-position goals occurred in that span and the Dukes would later take an 8-2 lead into the locker room. JMU led by as many as seven on two occasions in the second half. Aside from JMU's free-position scores, the team's other eight goals were all assisted.

QUOTING COACH SHELLEY
"Again, it was a tremendous defensive effort," Head Coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe said. "There was a part of the second half that was back-and-forth and defense just held their ground for us and Poelma came up with some big saves. We showed so much fight all over the field, dominating the hustle stats and erupting in assisted goals. It was a total team effort and a great way to celebrate our seniors."

SENIOR SEND OFF
It was the final home game for JMU's five seniors on Sunday, as the program recognized Margaret Tucker Fogarty, Hannah Jablonski, Cristina McCarthy, Leah Monticello and Emily Poelma. Fogarty recorded hat trick in her final game at Sentara, while Poelma made tremendous saves to keep the Dukes' lead rather manageable throughout.

PHOTO OF THE GAME - view full photo gallery

JMU celebrates on the sideline after a goal on Sunday.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE
JMU's defense has continued its prowess since beginning CAA play, allowing just five goals to Towson, Elon and William & Mary. The Dukes average wins by over six goals per conference game, and the defense is big reason why. JMU has big leads in all hustle stats, including 47-31 in caused turnovers, 35-19 in draw controls and 68-50 in ground balls. Haley Warden leads the Dukes with 11 caused turnovers and 11 grounds balls in league play, while Elena Romesburg has caused eight turnovers and picked up nine ground balls.

MOVIN' ON UP
JMU had several players move up on the single-season and career lists, statistically on Sunday.

Season
Haley Warden – 37 caused turnovers (5th), 42 draw controls (t-16th)
Katie Kerrigan – 31 assists (tied for 6th)
Kristen Gaudian – 10 free-position goals (t-12th)
Rebecca Tooker – 24 caused turnovers (t-19th)

Career
Haley Warden – 64 caused turnovers (12th), 110 draw controls (12th)

UP NEXT
JMU hits the road on Friday, April 14 to face Hofstra. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Hempstead, New York, and live video coverage is available on Pride Production and CAA.TV.

"Each game that we have going forward is going to be a battle and we're going to have to find a way to break our opponent down," Klaes-Bawcombe said. "That's exciting for our team, to take it one game at a time and try to secure the No. 1 seed for the CAA Tournament."