HARRISONBURG, Va. – A goal in the 17
th minute of play proved the difference in No. 19 James Madison field hockey's 1-0 loss to No. 10 Delaware in a rain-soaked Colonial Athletic Association opener on Friday night.
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The Blue Hens' (9-2) Lisa Giezeman tipped in the lone goal of the evening off a penalty corner shot by Kiki Bink just 16:54 into the game. This is the Dukes' (6-3) first shutout of the season and first since Oct. 30, 2015 (L, 2-0 to then-No. 7 Virginia).
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Delaware outshot JMU 10-3 overall, including a 5-0 edge in the second half, and 7-1 in shots-on-goal, forcing junior goalkeeper
Sara Kraeutler to make six saves. The Blue Hens also held the edge in penalty corners 3-1.
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JMU's best opportunities for the equalizer came over the final 10:25 of regulation as UD's Greta Nauck was sidelined with a 10-minute yellow card. Playing a man up, the Dukes battled for possession in their attacking zone, but could not corral the ball in their favor.
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The Dukes are back in CAA action on Sunday, Oct. 2, with a home contest against Towson at 1 p.m.
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SERIES NOTES
- The series between JMU and Delaware is now tied at 10-10 overall.
- All 10 of Delaware's wins in the series have come by a one-goal margin.
- This is the first time since Oct. 18, 2002, the Blue Hens have kept the Dukes scoreless (L, 1-0 at JMU).
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TWEET OF THE DAY
CAA REMATCH
Tonight marked the rematch of both the 2014 and 2015 CAA title games, both of which Delaware won 2-1. It also marked the first time JMU lost its CAA opener since 2014, a 6-5 double overtime loss to the Blue Hens in Harrisonburg (Oct. 3).
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RANKED FOES
JMU is now 2-2 against ranked opponents this season. The Dukes hold wins over then-No. 13 Liberty (3-2) and then-No. 13 Old Dominion (2-1) as well as a loss (7-1) at then-No. 2 Duke.
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
The rain poured down on the Dukes and Blue Hens for most of Friday night's game. Check out the full gallery here.

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STATS TO KNOW
- This marked the first home loss for JMU this season (4-1).
- All three JMU shot attempts came from sophomore Miranda Rigg.
- Tonight's three shot attempts were the fewest by the team this season and fewest since taking three shot attempts against Old Dominion on Sept. 28, 2014.
- Tonight's one penalty corner attempt is the fewest by the team this season. It is also the fewest since JMU was awarded zero penalty corners in a 4-0 loss to Old Dominoin on Sept. 28, 2014.
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UP NEXT
JMU and Towson return to CAA action in Harrisonburg, Va., on Sunday. The Dukes are 21-1-0 all-time against the Tigers with a 21-game win-streak. The last time JMU lost to Towson was Oct. 1, 1976 on the Tigers' home field. The Dukes have never lost to Towson at home.
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