First-Half Offense Propels JMU to 2-1 Win at No. 13 Old Dominion

Sunday, September 18

Norfolk, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

(5-2, 0-0CAA)

Old Dominion

(4-3, 0-1BIG EAST)

JMU

Old Dominion

First-Half Offense Propels JMU to 2-1 Win at No. 13 Old Dominion

9/18/2016 4:03:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score @JMU_FieldHockey FH on Facebook FH on Instagram

NORFOLK, Va. – James Madison field hockey used a pair of first-half goals to take down No. 13 Old Dominion 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

The Dukes (5-2) withstood a second-half onslaught from the Monarchs (5-2), including two penalty corners in the final minute. Despite ODU's 6-0 edge in shots and 4-0 edge in penalty corners over the second stanza, the JMU defense conceded just one goal.

Sophomore Miranda Rigg scored her fourth goal of the weekend to get the Dukes on the board just 54 seconds into the game, picking up a pass from sophomore Ashley Gippe, who tallied her first career assist. Freshman Florien Sondern tallied her second goal of the weekend and third of the season by corralling a penalty corner rebound.

JMU finished the afternoon with five shots, three on goal, and two penalty corners. The Dukes are now 2-1 against ranked opponents this season, adding the win to their season-opening victory over then-No. 13 Liberty.

Another former-league foe is on deck for JMU as the Dukes travel to VCU on Sunday, Sept. 25 for a 1 p.m. contest.

QUOTING HEAD COACH CHRISTY MORGAN
"All I can say is we played with intention, heart and fire. JMU played to win and the goal in the first minute set the tone for the day. It's something to build on – we played connected, smart hockey and it paid off. I'm proud of the energy, effort and team play we displayed today."

STATS OF NOTE

Sophomore Miranda Rigg scored her eighth goal of the season on Sunday, tying her season mark from a year ago.
Sophomore Ashley Gippe tallied her first collegiate assist on Sunday in her first collegiate start.

SERIES NOTES
This win snapped a five-game series win streak for ODU over JMU. The Dukes had previously last defeated the Monarchs on Nov. 9, 2008 for the CAA Championship.

TWEET OF THE DAY

came back to coach Morgan's alma mater for a great fight and victory!! GO DUKES @JMU_FieldHockey ?????? pic.twitter.com/22FAGOWNeM
— Melanie Kusakavitch (@MelanieK2335) September 18, 2016

AGAINST NATIONALLY-RANKED TEAMS
JMU is now 2-1 against nationally-ranked teams this season. The Dukes defeated then-No. 13 Liberty in their season opener. This is the second consecutive season JMU has won at least two games against ranked foes. There are three more contests against top-15 opponents this season (No. 12 Delaware – Sept. 30 at home; No. 6 Louisville – Oct. 23 at home; No. 14 Virginia – Oct. 30 on the road).

IN-STATE BATTLES
The Dukes are 3-0 against opponents from the Commonwealth of Virginia this season, coming into the day with wins over Liberty (3-2) and Longwood (6-1). They have four more contests against state rivals, including VCU next Sunday.

UP NEXT
JMU travels to VCU next Sunday, Sept. 25 for a 1 p.m. match-up. The Dukes have won nine of the last 10 battles with the Rams and hold a 33-8 all-time series record.