Dukes Roll Past Central Michigan, Morgan Notches 250th JMU Victory

Friday, September 19

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

(5-3 (1-0MAC))

Central Michigan

(4-3 (0-1MAC))

James Madison

Central Michigan

Dukes Roll Past Central Michigan, Morgan Notches 250th JMU Victory

9/19/2025 4:45:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Five Dukes scored to push James Madison past Central Michigan, 5-2, in Mid-American Conference field hockey action on Friday afternoon at Cristy Freese Field.

The victory was No. 250 for Head Coach Christy Morgan while leading the Dukes (1991-99, 2014-Pres.). Morgan boasts a 250-153-2 (.620) record across her 21 seasons in Harrisonburg, and 255-167-2 (.604) in her 22-year coaching career.

The Dukes (5-3, 1-0 MAC) scored five unanswered goals in the second and third periods to top CMU (4-3, 0-1 MAC). JMU held an advantage in shots (17-11), while the Chippewas earned more penalty corners (8-4).

Alice Roeper registered three points, posting a goal and an assist. Julie Narleski, Madelief Molier, Avery Ruckman and Skyler Brown all found the back of the net as well. Molly Schreiner started in net, making a pair of saves and allowing zero goals in 38:31 of action. Hannah Popolis finished the game, tallying four saves in the win.

Cameron Pluciennik recorded both goals for CMU, while Carolena Ryon and Hailey Bainer each added an assist. Ashley Clogger rejected five JMU shots, logging 41:56 in cage before Jenna Billig took over the remainder of the game, finishing with a pair of saves.

Quoting Head Coach Christy Morgan
"It was great, fast, connected hockey today! We left a few out there, so we must be more disciplined in the defensive end. I'm proud of our team and happy that they left a piece of their hearts on the field. Go Dukes!"

How It Happened

JMU held the Chippewas without a shot in the opening frame but could not find the back of the net either, resulting in a 0-0 score after one.
Narleski opened the scoring forty seconds into the second quarter, picking up a loose ball along the end line and pushing it in to make it 1-0.
Less than two minutes later, Roeper dribbled past a defender and dished to Molier for the easy tap-in for the 2-0 lead.
Halfway through the second, Brown produced a direct shot at the top of the circle that was saved and collected by Ruckman, who chipped it in to give JMU a 3-0 advantage.
Early in the third, scored on a fadeaway solo shot for a 4-0 Dukes' lead.
Brown recorded the Dukes' final goal of the contest, driving down the right side of the circle and delivering a rocket to the bottom left corner.
With under five minutes remaining in regulation, Pluciennik broke through with a deflection off a shot from Bainer during a penalty corner situation.
On an uneven rush, Ryon passed in front of the goal to Pluciennik for the easy score with 13 seconds left.

Game Notes

Ruckman's goal was the first of her career, making her the seventh JMU goal scorer this season and the tenth to register a point.
Five goals are the most by the Dukes since defeating Bellarmine 6-0 on Oct. 18, 2024. Additionally, that contest against the Knights was the last time JMU had at least five players find the back of the net.
James Madison is 8-1 (.889) against MAC opponents in regular-season play since joining the league in 2024.

Up Next
James Madison will complete its trek to the Great Lakes State on Sunday, Sept. 21, when the Dukes square off against No. 8 Michigan. Action in Ann Arbor is slated for 1 p.m. and will stream on Big Ten Plus.