#17 JMU Rallies but Falls Short, 3-2, to #12 Wake Forest

Sunday, October 15

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

(8-5, 1-1CAA)

Wake Forest

(9-6, 2-3ACC)

Wake Forest

JMU

#17 JMU Rallies but Falls Short, 3-2, to #12 Wake Forest

10/15/2017 4:29:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – No. 17 James Madison scored two goals in the final 13:36 of play, but the comeback attempt came up short as the Dukes (8-5, 1-1 CAA) fell 3-2 to No. 12 Wake Forest in their final non-conference game of the year.

The Dukes cut the deficit to one with 8:27 left on the regulation clock and kept pressing over the final stretch. Despite pulling freshman goalkeeper Caitlin Nelson for an extra attacker with just under two minutes to go, the Demon Deacons were able to run out the clock and escape with the victory.

HOW WE GOT HERE

All three Demon Deacon goals came during a 12-minute stretch early in the first half, with the first two coming off back-to-back penalty corners.
Sophomore Lisa Lejeune got the Dukes on the board at the 56:24 mark, scoring off a straight corner from senior McKenzie Ridgely and junior Miranda Rigg.
Senior Melanie Kusakavitch brought JMU within one on a sliding deflection of junior Ashley Gippe's pass that she shelved into the upper right corner.

HIGHLIGHT: Take a look at Lisa Lejeune's 7th goal of the season to cut the Wake Forest lead to 3-1! #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/sWymnIp6lp
— JMU Field Hockey (@JMUFieldHockey) October 15, 2017

SHOTS ON SHOTS
JMU outshot Wake Forest 17-9, including an 11-4 advantage in the second half.

HIGHLIGHT: Watch as Melanie Kusakavitch puts in her 4th goal of the year to make it 3-2! #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/OREJ5L0gK8
— JMU Field Hockey (@JMUFieldHockey) October 15, 2017

BALANCED POWER
Melanie Kusakavitch moved to double-digit points (10) for the season today with her second-half goal. She is the fifth Duke to reach double-digit points for 2017, and she has reached the mark for the third consecutive year.

STILL OF THE DAY
Melanie Kusakavitch goes for the defensive stop against Wake Forest.
86098

Full photo gallery available here.

UP NEXT
The Dukes host Northeastern on Friday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in Colonial Athletic Association action. This is their annual Pink Game to promote breast cancer awareness, and fans are encouraged to wear pink in support.