Top-Seeded Dukes Roll into CAA Title Game with 16-5 Win Against Elon

Friday, May 3

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

15-3

Elon

6-12

Elon

James Madison

Top-Seeded Dukes Roll into CAA Title Game with 16-5 Win Against Elon

5/3/2019 8:49:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score Highlights Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Behind a pair of large scoring runs and a record-setting performance by junior attacker Maddie McDaniel, top-seeded James Madison cruised into the conference title game with a 16-5 victory against fourth-seeded Elon in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship semifinals on Friday evening at Sentara Park.

The Dukes improve to 15-3 on the year, while the Phoenix sees their season ends at 6-12. JMU faces No. 3 Hofstra in the CAA title game, which will be played Sunday, May 5 at noon. The Pride beat Towson in the second semifinal, 11-8.

McDaniel tied her career high with a game-high four goals while also setting the JMU single-season record for draw controls. She won nine for the game, upping her season total to 111. That surpassed Haley Warden's 2018 record of 108.

Three players recorded two goals and one assist in senior attacker Hanna Haven, junior attacker Logan Brennan and sophomore attacker Daria Lucchesi. Haven cashed in on both free-position shots, moving into a tie for ninth at JMU with 31 career free-position scores. Sophomore attacker Katie Checkosky notched a goal and two assists, and junior midfielder Kelsey Reed added one goal and one helper.

Defensively, senior Caroline Sdanowich and junior Emma Johnson each caused three turnovers, as Sdanowich added three draws and Johnson collected three ground balls. Junior Kristen Russell and freshman midfielder Rachel Matey each had a pair of caused turnovers, and senior Lauren DuVall matched Johnson with three ground balls. Redshirt sophomore Molly Dougherty improved to 14-3 between the pipes this year, making five saves in the win.

JMU trailed 3-2 before going on a 5-0 run to take a 7-3 lead late in the first half. The Dukes held the Phoenix without a score for nearly 16 minutes and later took an 8-4 lead at the break. JMU opened the second half with three goals inside the first two minutes, sparking a 6-0 scoring run to grab a 14-4 advantage. Elon never drew closer than nine down the stretch.

Elon was led by Mae McGlynn and Kaley Thompson, who each scored twice. Paulina Difatta made 10 saves, and Gillian Curran caused three turnovers.

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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

JMU out-shot Elon 31-18, including a dominating 26-10 mark in shots on goal.
The Dukes controlled the circle by a 15-7 margin, which included a 7-2 lead in the second half.
JMU also held leads in caused turnovers (11-6) and ground balls (16-11) and committed just 10 turnovers, as compared to Elon's 13.
JMU improved to 7-0 all-time against Elon and is now 2-0 against the Phoenix in the conference tournament.
JMU has now scored 16 goals in a CAA tournament game eight times since 1992, and Friday marked the program's seventh double-digit win at the Championship.

DUKES BACK IN THE TITLE GAME

JMU advances to the CAA championship game for the fifth straight season and for the ninth time since 2010. It's also JMU's 18th berth in the title game.
The Dukes are looking to win their third straight conference tournament championship, which would be a program first.
JMU holds an 11-6 record in CAA title games.