Second-Half Surge Pushes JMU Past App. State 4-1

Saturday, September 3

Harrisonburg, Va.,

11:00 AM

James Madison University

Appalachian State

9/3/2011 5:12:00 PM | Field Hockey

Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va., Sept. 3, 2011 - Two James Madison freshmen connected on three goals during a five-minute span of the second half to lift the Dukes to a 4-1 win over Appalachian State in their 2011 home opener on Saturday morning at the JMU Field Hockey Complex.

JMU improved to 1-1 for the season while ASU fell to 0-2.

Freshman Taylor Bailey (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) recorded the game winner with her first career tally to break a 1-1 tie in the 54^th minute. Fellow freshman Taylor West (Princess Anne, Md./Pocomoke) added two goals in one minute just four minutes later to clinch the victory.

JMU held a commanding 23-3 advantage in shots and 10-1 in penalty corners. The shot advantage was 18-2 for the Dukes at the midpoint of the second half with the score still tied at 1-1 before they finally pulled away.

Junior Jenna Taylor (Midlothian, Va./James River) had the other goal for the Dukes in the first half. Sophomore Stephanie Tarafas (Suffolk, Va./Nansemond) played the second half as the winning goalkeeper and made one save. Senior Margo Savage (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) had one save in the first half.

Angellella Brooke had the lone goal for the Mountaineers. Bridgette Street had seven saves during 62 minutes in goal.

JMU controlled much of the early play in the contest and had the first five shot opportunities. However, it was ASU that connected first. The Mountaineers drew a corner in the eighth minute. The initial shot by Hannah Martin was saved but Angellella collected the loose ball on the right side and converted the goal.

The Dukes responded quickly, drawing a corner with three minutes remaining. After a series of passes, West passed from the center to Taylor at the left post for the tying goal.

JMU earnd a succession of corners midway through the second half. On the third try, senior Lindsay Cutchins (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) fired from the upper left edge of the circle with Bailey tipping the shot for her first career goal and a 2-1 Dukes' lead.

The Dukes responded quickly in the 13^th minute to expand the lead. Madison was awarded a stroke on a foul in the circle and West connected for her first career goal. Just a minute later, West earned an open shot near the goal. Her first attempt was saved but she corralled the rebound and scored to make it 4-1.

JMU is home again on Sunday afternoon for a 2 p.m. match against Ohio State.