Dukes Drop Huskies 3-2 with Solid Second-Half Defense

Friday, October 7

Boston, Mass.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

(8-3, 2-1CAA)

Northeastern

(6-6, 0-2CAA)

James Madison

Northeastern

10/7/2016 8:20:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score @JMU_FieldHockey FH on Facebook FH on Instagram Box Score

DEDHAM, Mass. – A strong second-half defense helped James Madison field hockey to a 3-2 victory at Northeastern in Colonial Athletic Association action on Friday night.

After the Huskies (6-6, 0-2 CAA) tied the game with just five seconds left in the first half, the Dukes (8-3, 2-1 CAA) kept them off the board over the second 35-minute stanza. Sophomore forward Miranda Rigg tallied the game-winning goal in the 38^th minute of play when she picked up a corner-save rebound and sent it into the goal.

JMU outshot NU 13-8, though both of Northeastern's first-half shot attempts found the cage. The Dukes also outearned the Huskies 7-2 in penalty corners, holding a 3-0 edge over the first 35 minutes.

Rigg accounted for both the first and third goals of the day. She tied the game at 1-all when she picked up the center pass from freshman Florien Sondern in the 15^th minute. Sophomore Corey Mayer gave the Dukes their first lead of the day with a solo shot (2-1) at the 21:50 mark.

The Dukes next head to Drexel on Sunday, Oct. 9 for a 2 p.m. match.

MAKING THE SAVE
Junior back McKenzie Ridgely had the first defensive save of her collegiate career at the 61:05 mark, keeping the Huskies from knotting the game with a shot-on-goal from Laura Maclachlan.

RIGG'S NUMBERS
Sophomore Miranda Rigg had her fourth multi-goal game of the season. She leads the Dukes with 14 goals this season.

TWEET OF THE DAY

JMU Alum and @Eagles QB Coach John DeFilippo stopped by to wish @JMU_FieldHockey good luck in their game tonight against Northeastern! pic.twitter.com/Dy016QYUjb
— JMU Duke Club (@JMUDukeClub) October 7, 2016

SERIES NUMBERS
JMU is now on a three-game win-streak against Northeastern. The Dukes hold the all-time series 11-6 and are now ahead 4-3 when playing in Dedham, Mass.

UP NEXT
JMU continues on the CAA road swing with a Sunday afternoon stop of Drexel. The Dukes face the Dragons at 2 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa. and have won three straight against DU.