JMU Falls in Opener at #4 UNC

Friday, February 7

Chapel Hill, N.C.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

0-1

North Carolina

1-0

James Madison

North Carolina

Photo by: Anthony Sorbellini

2/7/2025 8:12:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – A pair of six-goal runs were too much for #16 James Madison lacrosse to overcome, as it fell at #4 North Carolina, 14-2, on Friday evening in the season opener for both teams at Dorrance Field.

Ashley Humphrey led all scorers with three goals and two assists, while Chloe Humphrey tallied a hat trick with one assist. UNC had four multi-goal scorers, as the hosts out-shot JMU by a 32-16 margin, which included 24-9 in shots on goal.

For JMU, Olivia Matthews and Maddie Epke each recorded goals. JMU won the draw control battle, 9-8, as Epke finished with a game-high tying five. UNC's Kate Levy matched Epke with five draws.

Caitlin Boden made 10 saves for the Dukes while facing 24 shots on goal. Betty Nelson stopped seven of JMU's nine shots on goal to earn the win in cage.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter – North Carolina 5, James Madison 0

UNC led just 1-0 over the first 10 minutes, before a flurry of four goals in a span of 3:43 gave the Heels a 5-0 lead after one.
Carolina scored twice on free positions while leading in total shots, 9-6, in the first 15 minutes.

Second Quarter – North Carolina 7, James Madison 1

UNC led 6-0 before Matthews found the back of the net for her first career goal to open the scoring for JMU just over five minutes into the period.
Scoring was at a premium in the second, as the teams combined for just three on nine total shots.
JMU had its best period in the circle, winning all four draw controls.

Third Quarter – North Carolina 13, James Madison 1

UNC extended the lead to double digits in the third, outscoring JMU by a 6-0 score.
The Tar Heels netted three in the opening five minutes of the second half and tallied three more over the final 5:25 to run the lead to 12.
UNC held a 12-0 shots advantage in the period, including 9-0 on goal.

Fourth Quarter – North Carolina 14, James Madison 2

Each team scored once in the final stanza, as Boden made four saves on five UNC shots on goal.
JMU ended its scoring drought in the final minute, a Chloe Beckley caused a turnover and fed Epke for the game's final goal.

GAME NOTES

Maddie Epke has now scored a goal in 19 straight games.
UNC held a 20-11 lead in ground balls and had 15 turnovers, as opposed to JMU's 23.
It was the fewest goals in a game for JMU since scoring three against Virginia on March 20, 2013.
UNC improves its all-time lead to 13-5 against JMU, which includes an 8-1 mark at home.

UP NEXT
JMU returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 12 when it travels to Blacksburg, Va., to face Virginia Tech. The opening draw is set for 5 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.