First-Half Goals Propel Dukes to 3-2 Win Versus Central Michigan

Friday, September 27

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

(5-2)

Central Michigan

(3-6)

Central Michigan

James Madison

First-Half Goals Propel Dukes to 3-2 Win Versus Central Michigan

9/27/2024 5:15:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison field hockey scored three goals in the game's opening 23 minutes and held on for a 3-2 victory over Central Michigan in Mid-American Conference play at the JMU Field Hockey Complex on a rainy Friday afternoon.

With the win, the Dukes (5-2, 2-0 MAC) matched their win total from the 2023 campaign when the program went 5-12 as an independent.

James Madison had balanced scoring with goals from senior Samantha Grimes, freshman Lilly Turner and junior Alice Roeper. Sophomore Ava Drexler-Amey and Turner both added an assist in the win.

For the Chippewas (3-6, 0-2 MAC), Mallory Camryn was the lone goal scorer, while Zoey Emrick, Shannon Dwyer and Simone Potgieter each recorded an assist. In goal, Coletta Beeler made seven saves in 58:10 of action.

Quoting Head Coach Christy Morgan
"We did not play our best hockey, but we played well enough to be effective. Central Michigan came out really strong. They have grown a lot and have effective players. We did not execute our second-half adjustments. We won the battle and will regroup for Queens (N.C.) on Sunday."

How It Happened

Grimes collected a rebound off a shot from fifth-year Carissa Tambroni and put it home to give the Dukes a 1-0 lead just over three minutes into the contest.
Turner scored off an inlet pass from Drexler-Amey early in the second for a 2-0 JMU cushion.
Roeper batted in a ball from Turner for the Dukes' third and final goal, scoring at the 7:36 mark of the second.
The Chippewas responded four minutes later on an uneven rush as Emrick found Camryn who dribbled around redshirt freshman Molly Schreiner to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Early in the third, Camryn struck again, this time on a penalty corner with assists from Dwyer and Potgieter.
CMU pulled Beeler with 1:50 remaining but failed to register a shot to fall 3-2.

Game Notes

JMU leads Central Michigan, 2-0-1, in the all-time series dating back to 1989.
The Dukes held the advantage in shots (25-3) and shots on goal (12-3).
Grimes' goal was her first of the season and first since scoring in the 2023 season finale against Queens (N.C.) on Nov. 4. Additionally, she is credited with the game-winning goal, the first of her career.
Strittmatter earned her 50th career start in her 60th appearance for the JMU.
Turner has scored in back-to-back conference games with both of her goals coming off assists from Drexler-Amey. Moreover, Turner's assist was the first of her career.
Junior Julie Narleski made her first collegiate start in the win.
Three goals are the most in a half by JMU this season, while it has been scoreless in the second half two games in a row.

Up Next
The Dukes will head south for a 1 p.m. matchup at Queens (N.C.) on Sunday, Sept. 29.