JMU Falls 6-3 to Liberty in Season Opener

Friday, August 28

Lynchburg, Va.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

(0-1)

Liberty

(1-0)

James Madison

Liberty

8/28/2015 7:41:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The James Madison field hockey team fell 6-3 to Liberty in its season opener. The match marked the first meeting between the Dukes and Flames.

After redshirt senior midfielder Taylor West used her second goal of the day to tie the match at 3-all with 14:15 remaining, Liberty rattled off three goals over a 5:41 span to reach the final 6-3 margin. Overall, the Flames outshot the Dukes 20-13, including a 13-8 advantage in shots on goal.

With her two goals on the evening, West is now tied for seventh all-time in both career goals (42) and career points (100).

Sophomore forward Melanie Kusakavitch scored the first goal of the season just 47 seconds into the game, picking up a rebound off a shot from outside the circle. Each of Liberty's six goals was scored by a different player.

Noteworthy

Sophomore forward Hannah Hall has now started all 21 games of her career.
The loss marked just the second time in the last 10 seasons the Dukes have dropped their season opener.
The six goals allowed is the most of sophomore goalkeeper Sara Krauetler's career. Her previous career-high was two goals, which she had only done twice.

Tweet of the Day

New white uniforms unveiled in the season opener for #JMUFH! #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/KBDfj6fY2C
— JMU Field Hockey (@JMU_FieldHockey) August 28, 2015

Turning Point
The Flames scored three goals over a 5:41 span to push ahead to a 6-3 lead after West tied the match at 3-all with 14:15 to play.

Rising Up the Record Board
With her two goals on the day, West upped her career goals to 42 and moved into a tie for seventh all-time with Meghan Bain (JMU '09).
West also reached the 100-point plateau, just the eighth player in JMU history to do so. She is tied for seventh all-time with Traci Forchetti (JMU '01).

Next Up
The Dukes head to Longwood on Sunday, Aug. 30 for a noon tilt. JMU is 5-0 all-time against the Lancers.