#3 JMU Falls for First Time of the Year, 15-12, at #4 Maryland

Saturday, March 24

College Park, Md.

Noon

James Madison University

8-1

Maryland

8-1

James Madison

Maryland

#3 JMU Falls for First Time of the Year, 15-12, at #4 Maryland

3/24/2018 4:09:00 PM | Lacrosse

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Despite a five-point, eight-draw control performance by senior attacker Kristen Gaudian, third-ranked James Madison fell for the first time this season, dropping a 15-12 decision to No. 4 Maryland on Saturday afternoon at the Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.

The Dukes fell to 8-1, while the Terrapins improved to 8-1 on the year. The game was played in front of a jam-packed 2,361 fans, which set a complex record. The 12 goals were also the most JMU had ever scored on the road in history of the series.

Gaudian tied game-high honors with four goals and an assist, to go with a career-high eight draw controls. With her second goal on the day, she reached 100 goals for her career and now stands at 102.

Senior midfielder Elena Romesburg turned in three goals and two ground balls, and senior midfielder Haley Warden scored two goals and an assist, to go with four draws, two caused turnovers and two ground balls. Senior defender Rebecca Tooker caused a game-high three turnovers and had three ground balls, while junior goalkeeper Ellie Harmeyer made seven saves, to go with two caused turnovers and a game-best five ground balls, which matched her career high.

JMU out-shot the Terrapins 33-32 (24-22 SOG), including an 18-12 mark in the second half to outscore the hosts 7-6. The Dukes also led in caused turnovers (12-8), ground balls (22-14) and fewer turnovers (12-18). Maryland had the edge in draw controls (16-13).

The Terps were paced by Grace Griffin, who tied Gaudian with four goals and an assist, scoring three of her four on the free position. Megan Whittle had three goals and two assists and Caroline Steele had three scores. Megan Taylor got the win between the pipes after making 12 saves.

With the game tied at 3-3, Maryland used a 4-0 run in a five-and-a-half minute span to grab a 7-3 lead with 11:36 to go in the half, JMU got to within two before the Terps scored two straight to end frame, taking a 9-5 halftime advantage.

The teams traded goals much throughout the second, and with Maryland ahead 14-9, JMU put together a three-goal run to make it 14-12 with 6:35 to play. Taylor made a huge save with three minutes to play and the Terps scored a minute later for the game's final goal.

QUOTING COACH SHELLEY KLAES-BAWCOMBE
"It's not the result we were looking for, but we turned an ugly game of lacrosse in the first half into a well-played game in the second half. I'm really impressed with our team's willingness to not give up. We're compiling information and feedback right now to give us focus and direction where we need to push this team. I'm excited we have the schedule we have and we'll learn more about this team as we head in to conference play."

OVER THE CENTURY MARK
Kristen Gaudian became the 21st player in school history to record 100 career goals Saturday. She entered the game needing two for the century mark and tallied her first two goals in a 29-second span late in the first half. She added two more in the second half to move her into 20th place all-time at JMU in goals.

COMING UP JUST SHORT OF THE RECORD
JMU's loss to Maryland ended the program's shot at tying the school record for most wins to start a season. JMU began 1988 with a 9-0 record, which will place the 2018 team in second place in the 50-season history of lacrosse. JMU has now begun four seasons with at least six straight victories.

UP NEXT
JMU returns home to face UC Davis on Wednesday, March 28 at 5 p.m. The game, which will be played at Sentara Park, can be heard on MadiZONE HD SportsNet audio.