Dukes Cruise into CAA Title Game with 17-5 Win over Delaware

Friday, May 4

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

17-1

Delaware

8-10

Delaware

James Madison

Dukes Cruise into CAA Title Game with 17-5 Win over Delaware

5/4/2018 7:57:00 PM | Lacrosse

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – Three Dukes achieved new career highs contributed to send top-seeded James Madison to the Colonial Athletic Association Women's Lacrosse Championship title game following a 17-5 victory over Delaware in the semifinals on Friday evening at Sentara Park.

With the win, the Dukes improved to 17-1 on the season, while the Blue Hens ended their season at 8-10. JMU extended its win streak to nine games with the triumph.

Senior Kristen Gaudian opened scoring less than a minute into play, sealing JMU's lead for the entirety of the game. Ten different Dukes netted goals during the semifinal - Gaudian (5), senior Morgan Hardt (3) and junior Hanna Haven (2) each put up multiple points. Gaudian went a perfect 5-of-5 on shots while Hardt's three-goal showing matched her career high, which she achieved for the first time at High Point (Feb. 24) earlier this season.

Coming out strong on a defensive front, junior Caroline Sdanowich produced five caused turnovers for a new career high, and senior Rebecca Tooker had the same to match her career high. Sdanowich and senior Haley Warden registered four ground balls apiece, Tooker added three to the cause and sophomore Emma Johnson and senior Corinne Schmidt each tallied two. Sophomore Maddie McDaniel led the game with six draw controls, breaking her previous career high of three.

HIGHLIGHTS

Between the pipes, freshman Molly Dougherty kept her record unblemished (9-0) after five saves to ward off Delaware. Dougherty only allowed one Delaware goal in the first half, sending the Blue Hens into the break with an eight-goal deficit. Junior goalie Ellie Harmeyer picked up a save of her own, slating 5:31 minutes of playing time.

The Dukes out-shot the Blue Hens 33-17, recorded 16 draw controls to the Blue Hens' eight, and edged Delaware in ground balls (23-21). Each team had six second-half turnovers with JMU turning the ball over 20 times, while Delaware had 23 turnovers.

QUOTING COACH SHELLEY KLAES-BAWCOMBE

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The Dukes will play second-seeded Towson on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the title game. The Tigers edged Elon 9-7 in the second semifinal on Friday night.