DURHAM, N.C. – No. 2 Duke (6-0) struck early and often to take down James Madison field hockey (3-2) 7-1 on Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Devils scored the first three goals of the afternoon over a 6:24 span early in the first half. Sophomore forward
Melissa Wilken got the Dukes on the board with a left side shot from five yards out in the 23rd minute, the lone JMU tally of the afternoon.
Six of Duke's seven goals came in the first 31 minutes of play. The JMU defense, however, buckled down in the second half and the offense stepped up the attack game, earning all three of the Dukes' penalty corner attempts.
Junior goalkeeper
Sara Kraeutler made a career-high 10 saves on the afternoon, surpassing her previous mark of nine, and conceded seven goals, including a penalty stroke.
JMU makes a brief return home this week as the Dukes host New Hampshire on Friday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
QUOTING COACH MORGAN
"Today was a great learning experience for our young group, and we had great effort from
McKenzie Ridgely and
Florien Sondern. We play the best because we want to be the best; we aren't there yet, but we will not stop working to get there. It's a painful lesson but worth it if we use it to grow."
SAVES ON SAVES
TRENDING NUMBERS
This is the second straight game the Dukes have scored just one goal and not tallied an assist.
SERIES NUMBERS
This is the sixth consecutive win for the Blue Devils over the Dukes. Duke leads the all-time series 18-11-1.
TWEET OF THE DAY
UP NEXT
JMU returns home for a Friday-night contest against New Hampshire on Sept. 16, with action getting underway at 6 p.m. This will be just the fourth time in program history the Dukes and Wildcats have faced off (NH leads 2-1), and the first time since Oct. 5, 1997.