Brown’s Fourth-Quarter Goal Lifts JMU Over Villanova, 2-1

Friday, August 30

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

(1-0)

Villanova

(0-1)

Villanova

James Madison

Brown’s Fourth-Quarter Goal Lifts JMU Over Villanova, 2-1

8/30/2024 8:45:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Early in the fourth quarter, junior Skyler Brown collected a rebound and lofted a shot over the Villanova goalkeeper for the gamewinner to give James Madison a season-opening 2-1 victory over the Wildcats on Friday afternoon at the JMU Field Hockey Complex in non-conference field hockey action.

The win gave JMU (1-0) its first program victory as an affiliate member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Additionally, the Dukes have now won six consecutive season openers and five straight home openers.

In addition to Brown, fifth-year Carissa Tambroni found the back of the net for the game's opening goal. Redshirt freshman Molly Schreiner made her collegiate debut and tallied five saves in the win. Graduate student Sarah Beers helped keep the Wildcats at bay with a defensive save.

Alexandria Lavelle was the lone goal scorer for Villanova, while Maddi Sears made two stops on the afternoon.

Quoting Head Coach Christy Morgan
"I'm so thrilled with the grit and the grind we played with. It was a hard-fought game by both teams, and I'm happy to say that we finished on top! Some great possessions, some great finishes, but most of all, we had a fight. I'm proud of our team! Great start and lots and lots to build from. We will continue to grow. It's the "we" not the "me" – go Dukes!"

How It Happened

Villanova earned four corners, but the JMU defense held strong with two saves to keep the game 0-0 in the opening frame.
The Dukes failed to put a shot on net in the first half resulting in a scoreless bout through thirty minutes.
Tambroni used a backhand flick around the Wildcats' goalie to put JMU ahead 1-0 halfway through the third.
Later in the period, Villanova responded on a penalty corner as Lavelle picked up a Schreiner save and snuck one in the left side.
Early in the fourth, a shot from sophomore Azul Covarrubias caromed off a Wildcat defender, which was controlled by Brown who lifted a shot over Villanova's keeper for the gamewinner.
The Wildcats earned one final corner in the last minute of the contest but could not convert as both of Villanova's shots were blocked by freshman Madelief Molier and junior Jola Ollrogge, respectively.

Game Notes

JMU now leads 4-1 in the all-time series versus Villanova, dating back to 1996.
Brown's goal was the second of her career and first since finding the back of the net against Cal on Oct. 23, 2022.
Five saves are the most by a JMU goalkeeper since then-junior Katie Fricke made seven stops versus Old Dominion on Oct. 22, 2023.

Up Next
JMU is set for its second game of a four-game homestand as it hosts American on Friday, Sept. 6. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.