JMU Rolls Past Richmond on the Road, 18-12

Wednesday, April 3

Richmond, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

9-3

Richmond

9-3

James Madison

Richmond

4/3/2024 10:27:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – No. 12 James Madison lacrosse persevered multiple weather delays to defeat Commonwealth foe Richmond, 18-12, in a rainy battle on Wednesday evening at Robins Stadium.

The Dukes' offense was led by seniors Kacey Knobloch, Katelyn Morgan and Isabella Peterson as well as sophomore Maddie Epke, as the three seniors each notched four points and Epke tallied five.

JMU's defense was spearheaded by senior Nicholle Marshall and freshman Ava Bleckley. Marshall secured four ground balls and caused two turnovers while Bleckley recorded four ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Epke led the draw circle for the Dukes, resetting her single-game school record in draw controls with 19 as the Dukes outdrew the Spiders by a 26-8 margin. Her 116 draw controls this season are 11 behind Maddie McDaniel's single-season record of 127 set in 2019.

Grace Muldoon and Alexis Morton each recorded four goals and an assist for the Spiders' offense while midfielder Becca Sturtz secured seven ground balls and caused a turnover on the defensive side of the ball.

JMU goalkeeper Caitlin Boden made six saves on 25 shots faced and allowed 12 goals amassing a .333 save percentage, while Richmond goalkeeper Abby Francioli made 10 saves on 39 shots faced, allowing 18 goals and posting a .357 save percentage.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter – JMU 3, Richmond 2
JMU got the scoring starting just 43 seconds into play as Knobloch eclipsed the 20-goal mark for the third time in her career. Derey and Epke notched two more to give the Dukes a 3-0 lead and the Spiders scored two to close out the frame.

Second Quarter – JMU 7, Richmond 4
Richmond tied the game at three, but the Dukes pulled away with a 4-0 scoring run. Muldoon notched a hat trick to make the score 7-4 at the half.

Third Quarter – JMU 13, Richmond 7
The Spiders scored the first goal of the half followed by another 4-0 run from the Dukes. Muldoon scored her fourth of the night for Richmond but Epke quickly responded with her third, resulting in her fifth hat trick of the season. The Spiders notched one more to close the frame.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 18, Richmond 12
Richmond found the back of the net a minute into the frame and the Dukes responded with another run, this time recording three without an answer. The Spiders tallied another score and Peterson notched two more on the evening, recording her 11th hat trick in as many games. The matchup closed with a 3-0 run by Richmond.

GAME NOTES

James Madison extended their lead in the all-time series, leading Richmond 47-3.
The Dukes secured their 13th consecutive victory over an A10 opponent, improving to 72-13 overall against the conference.
In addition to jumping into second in draw controls in single-season JMU history with 116, Epke also improved to fourth in draw controls in all-time JMU history with 188.
Knobloch and Morgan's four points each tonight moved them to 17th and 18th, respectively, in all-time points in JMU history.
Marshall tied her career high of four ground balls, which she previously recorded at Furman on March 4, 2024.
Freshman Emily Simkin recorded the first goal and assist of her career, accounting for two points on the evening.

UP NEXT
No. 12 James Madison (9-3, 2-0) will return home on Saturday, April 6 when they take on American Athletic Conference foe, Temple (8-3, 3-0). Opening draw is slated for noon and the matchup will be streamed on ESPN+. This game will serve as Senior Day for the Dukes as well as the Commonwealth One Faculty & Staff game.