First-Half Surge Leads #3 JMU to 14-9 Win over Richmond

Saturday, March 17

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

8-0

Richmond

5-2

Richmond

James Madison

3/17/2018 4:35:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score Highlights Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Third-ranked James Madison used two big scoring runs in the first half and had a strong defensive effort en route to a 14-9 victory against Richmond in non-conference women's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon at Sentara Park.

The Dukes improved to 8-0 and are just one win shy of tying the best start in program history when they began 1988 at 9-0. The Spiders fell to 5-2 on the year.

Senior attacker Kristen Gaudian scored a game-high four goals and added an assist while tying her career high of four ground balls. Junior attacker Hanna Haven led all players with six points off three goals and three assists, which tied her career high for helpers. Freshman attacker Katie Checkosky turned in a career afternoon with four points off a goal and career-best three assists and both senior midfielders Haley Warden and Elena Romesburg scored twice.

Defensively, JMU caused 15 of UR's 23 turnovers. Romesburg had a team-high four caused turnovers, to go with four draw controls and two ground balls, and Warden caused three turnovers while tallying five draws and two ground balls. Junior defender Lauren DuVall had a career-high three ground balls, and sophomore defender Emma Johnson added two caused turnovers and three ground balls. Freshman goalkeeper Molly Dougherty got the win between the pipes after making five saves in the second half and collecting a career-high four ground balls.

The Dukes out-shot Richmond 28-24 (23-16 SOG) while also holding advantages on caused turnovers (15-12) and ground balls (29-19). The Spiders held a small edge on the draw (13-12). They were paced by Katie Sciandra, who scored three goals. Caroline Queally had a game-high eight draws, and Julie Ball caused five turnovers.

JMU started strong, netting the game's first five goals and nine of the first 10. Seven different players scored in the first half and seven goals were assisted. Gaudian scored three times in the opening 30 and Haven tallied five points off two goals and three assists to help JMU lead 12-3 at the break. UR made a run in the second half, outscoring the Dukes 6-2 but never drew closer than four down the stretch.

VIEW FULL GALLERY

ONE WIN FROM TYING THE RECORD
JMU's win over Richmond means it needs a win next Wednesday to tie the all-time program record for best start to a season. The Dukes are 8-0 and will look to match the 1988 team, which began 9-0. JMU is one of four teams to still be unbeaten, as it is joined by No. 1 Stony Brook (6-0), No. 2 Boston College (10-0) and No. 9 Penn (7-0).

GAUDIAN FLYING UP THE CHARTS FOR FREE POSITION
Kristen Gaudian scored two of her game-high four goals off free-position shots, as she continues to thrive from the 8-meter. Gaudian has scored 14 free-position goals already this season, which is tied for fourth in JMU single-season history. She is only three shy of tying her own record from last season. For her career, she's fired home 32 free-position goals, which now ranks tied for sixth all-time.

DEFENSE WREAKS HAVOC
Defense created offense early for JMU as the Dukes caused 11 of UR's 17 first-half turnovers. The Dukes went on scoring runs of 5-0 and 4-0 en route to leading by eight at three different times. The Dukes were active all over the field, finishing the game with 15 caused turnovers, tying a season high, and 29 ground balls, which was a season high by six.

UP NEXT
JMU is on the road for a pair of games next week against top-10 teams. The Dukes face No. 7 Virginia on Wednesday, March 21 in Charlottesville before heading to College Park, Md., to face No. 4 Maryland on Saturday, March 24.