JMU Blanks Drexel to Advance to CAA Championship

Friday, November 6

Harrisonburg, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

(14-5)

Drexel

(8-11)

Drexel

James Madison

11/6/2015 5:28:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Top-seeded and 16th-ranked James Madison blanked fourth-seeded Drexel, 3-0, Friday afternoon to clinch a spot in the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association field hockey championship game. The Dukes improved to 14-5, while the Dragons finished the season 8-11.

The Dukes held the Dragons without a shot on goal, outshooting them 14-3, and secured their fourth shutout of the season and second over Drexel.

Three Dukes scored in the win, beginning with redshirt senior midfielder Taylor West. The newly-crowned CAA Player of the Year put JMU on the board at the 18:41 mark of the first half when she reached up and "dunked" a high ball out of the air just off the right post, with an assist by sophomore Melanie Kusakavitch.

One minute into the second half, the Dukes extended the lead when senior midfielder Adrienne le Vatte sent a rebounded save into the cage. The Dragons were later forced to play a man down after Jessica McCarthy picked up a yellow card at the 49:03 mark and JMU capitalized with its final goal when freshman forward Miranda Rigg volleyed a rebound out of midair.

The Dukes will host second-seeded Delaware, an 8-1 winner against third-seeded Hofstra, in the title game. The 2014 champinship rematch is slated for 2 p.m. Sunday, November 8.

Quoting Head Coach Christy Morgan
"This is leaving us with a hunger which is a really good thing. We're going to regroup tomorrow and work on some very specific things, and we will get ourselves ready. We are excited because we have a great fan base and our grounds crew is awesome, and I am so happy we performed well enough today to make it to the finals."
See full postgame interview here.

Play of the Game

For full highlights, please click here.

CAA Tournament History

The Dukes are 13-5 all-time in the CAA tournament semifinals.
This is the second time JMU will face Delaware for the CAA championship. Prior to 2014, the Dukes had only ever faced Old Dominion for the title.
JMU is 2-1 in the CAA title game when appearing as the No. 1 seed.

Tweet of the Game

@CurtDudley watching the @JMU_FieldHockey girls in action all the way from England! Very exciting team :)!
— Jen Wilson (@JenWilson16) November 6, 2015

Photo of the Game

It's always a beautiful day when the Dukes win!
For the full photo gallery, please click here.

Up Next
The top seeded Dukes advance to the CAA championship game Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. JMU will face the second-seeded Blue Hens in the title game for the second straight year. No. 15 Delaware has won back-to-back championships, including a 2-1 win over JMU in 2014.