Massive Scoring Run in Second Half Propels JMU Past UConn, 18-9

Sunday, February 17

Sparks, Md.

Noon

James Madison University

2-1

UConn

0-3

UConn

James Madison

Massive Scoring Run in Second Half Propels JMU Past UConn, 18-9

2/17/2019 3:49:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

SPARKS, Md. – Fourth-ranked James Madison broke the halftime tie by scoring 10 straight goals to open the second half, downing UConn 18-9 on Sunday afternoon at Tierney Field inside US Lacrosse Headquarters.

The Dukes improve to 2-1 on the year after notching their third win in a row over the Huskies, who fell to 0-3. JMU is also 4-2 all-time against UConn in the series.

"We reminded the team at halftime that they needed to focus on themselves," Head Coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe said. "We put the focus a little too much on UConn, so when we were able to simplify the game and focus on the fundamentals with a simple attitude adjustment, we saw a beautiful second half of JMU lacrosse."

Senior attacker Hanna Haven tied her career high with a game-best seven points off four goals and three assists. Junior attacker Logan Brennan recorded four goals and an assist while junior midfielder Halle Duenkel had two goals an assist and tied her career high with three ground balls. Sophomore attacker Katie Checkosky and sophomore midfielder Daria Lucchesi each had a pair of scores.

In the midfield, the Dukes held the advantage on the draw control for the first time in three tries, as junior attacker Maddie McDaniel and senior defender Caroline Sdanowich won eight and five draws, respectively. JMU's defense was led by senior Natalie Fuccillo and junior Emma Johnson. Fuccillo caused three turnovers and collected a career-high five ground balls, and Johnson added a pair of caused turnovers and three ground balls.

Trailing 6-4, JMU's defense held UConn off the scoreboard for nearly 16 minutes, scoring three straight to grab a narrow 7-6 advantage. A late tally by the Huskies sent the teams to the locker room tied at 7-7.

The Dukes stormed out of the halftime gates, scoring five goals inside the first nine minutes to snag a 12-7 lead. JMU kept its momentum rolling, eventually extending the run to 10 straight goals, giving the Dukes a 17-7 lead with 9:23 to play. UConn failed to score for nearly 23 to start the second half.

"We never got any momentum in the first half because we let anything that UConn did well get to us," Klaes-Bawcombe said. "We were working on getting some momentum in the game, so we talked about keeping the focus on JMU, feeding off our good play and celebrating the little things. We did a great job in the second half of controlling possession and finishing our chances on the attack."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

JMU out-shot UConn 34-22, including a 19-8 mark in the second half. That also included a 27-16 shots on goal advantage.
The Dukes edged the Huskies 16-13 in the circle, due in large to a 9-5 margin on draw controls in the second half.
JMU committed six fewer turnovers than UConn, though caused turnovers were nearly even, with a 10-9 JMU lead. The Dukes also had the advantage in ground balls (21-19).
Sydney Watson had four goals, an assist and eight draw controls to lead UConn. Lexi Kenneally added two goals and a helper, and Annie Carroll made a game-high nine stops between the pipes.

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

DUKES STAY PERFECT IN SPARKS

JMU improved to 3-0 in its annual meeting against UConn in Sparks, Md.
After winning a narrow game by a goal in 2017, the Dukes have now won the past two meetings by an average of 19.5 to 9.0
Hanna Haven also had a big performance for the second straight year at Tierney Field, tying her career high in points. Last season against UConn, Haven scored a career-best five goals in JMU's 21-9 triumph.

"Both JMU and UConn see the value of playing at US Lacrosse Headquarters," Klaes-Bawcombe said. "The Baltimore environment is great, we have so many families in this area and it's a great opportunity every year for us to market ourselves outside the Harrisonburg community."

UP NEXT
JMU opens up its home slate next Saturday, Feb. 23 when it hosts High Point at Sentara Park. The opening draw is set for 1 p.m.