JMU Completes Comeback for 4-3 Overtime Win at VCU

Sunday, September 25

Richmond, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

(6-2)

VCU

(3-5)

OT 2

JMU

VCU

9/25/2016 3:46:00 PM | Field Hockey

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

RICHMOND, Va. – Junior Hannah Hall slotted the game-winning goal 7:10 into sudden-victory overtime to complete James Madison field hockey's 4-3 comeback win at VCU on Sunday afternoon.

Hall took on the goalkeeper slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to clinch the victory. She finished the day with two goals after a second-half penalty stroke cut the VCU lead back to one (3-2) in the 46^th minute of action.

Tied at 3-3 with just over eight minutes left in regulation, junior goalkeeper Sara Kraeutler made a crucial save on a VCU penalty stroke to keep the game knotted. VCU earned the stroke after a foul call against JMU on a defensive stop attempt. Just a few minutes later, a JMU goal was waived off that would have given the Dukes the lead.

The Dukes (6-2) finished the day with a 31-6 advantage in shots, 18-4 on goal, and an 11-3 edge in penalty corners. The Rams (3-5), however, capitalized on their corner attempts as they scored on or just after each one.

JMU opens Colonial Athletic Association play on Friday, Sept. 30 with a 6 p.m. contest against No. 12 Delaware at home in a rematch of the 2015 CAA title game.

FINAL SURGE
JMU scored the final three goals of the afternoon. The game-tying goal came from junior Melanie Kusakavitch at the 56-minute mark.

PRESENCE KNOWN
Sophomore forward Casey O'Donnell scored the first game-tying goal of the afternoon in the 17^th minute of play, dribbling down the end line and firing into the low corner. The score is her first of the season and second of her career.

GOAL! Casey O'Donnell threads the baseline & slots it into the bottom right corner to tie the game 1-1, 16:08 into the 1H #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/iFHvz0ZYnS
— JMU Field Hockey (@JMU_FieldHockey) September 25, 2016

BATTLE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
JMU is now 4-0 against fellow Virginia teams. The Dukes have three more contests against teams from the Commonwealth: Oct. 14 vs. Richmond, Oct. 21 vs. William & Mary, Oct. 30 at #16 Virginia.

AGAINST THE RAMS
JMU has won five straight against VCU and 10 of the last 11 meetings. The only loss during this stretch was a 4-3 overtime loss in Richmond in 2010.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Cheering on @JMU_FieldHockey as they take on @VCURamsFH in #RVA #GODukes #JMU pic.twitter.com/bCxGyNkCTX
— Jonathan McNamara (@JMUJONMAC) September 25, 2016

UP NEXT
The Dukes will open league play this Friday with a home contest against No. 12 Delaware in a rematch of the 2015 title game, which the Blue Hens won 2-1 in overtime.