Dukes Pull Away From Spiders, Win Home Opener

Wednesday, February 26

Harrisonburg, Va.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

3-1

Richmond

2-3

Richmond

James Madison

2/26/2025 9:40:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Chloe Bleckley secured her first career hat trick, and #18 James Madison lacrosse used a third-quarter shutout to pull away from Richmond, 14-10, on Wednesday night at Sentara Park.

Bleckley led the scoring effort for JMU (3-1) in a game which saw eight different Dukes net goals.

Maddie Epke won a season-high 15 draw controls, while Ava Bleckley caused two turnovers. Maddie Weybrecht and Maggie Clark picked up two ground balls apiece for JMU, with Clark recording her first two goals on the season. Olivia Matthews netted two goals while providing two assists and also won four draw controls.

Adanya Moyer entered the cage at the end of the first half and earned the win for JMU, making three saves on 11 shots faced.

The Dukes recorded a season-high in shots, outshooting the Spiders 42-18. It's their largest margin in shots on the season and the second instance recording more than 40 shots in a game. JMU also cashed in on draw controls, winning the circle 23-5.

Richmond (2-3) was paced by Grace Muldoon and Colleen Quinn, who each recorded hat tricks, with Quinn providing a trio of helpers. Abby Francioli made 15 saves in the cage, including five in the first quarter, but allowed 12 goals over the final three frames.

How it Happened
First Quarter – Richmond 3, James Madison 2

Richmond scored the opening goal of the game on a free-position shot at the 9:44 mark.
Reese Cuviello responded 12 seconds later to equalize for her lone goal of the game.
Bleckley put JMU up 2-1 at the 6:22 mark off an assist from Brianna Mennella, before two more goals from Richmond put the Spiders up 3-2 going into the second stanza.

Second Quarter – James Madison 6, Richmond 6

Bleckley and Matthews each found the back of the net in the first ticks of the second to give JMU a 4-3 advantage.
Scoring stalled for the next five minutes before Epke netted her lone goal of the contest to extend the Dukes' lead.
Olivia Mattis converted on a free-position with 3:36 to go in the first half, following a man-down score for Richmond, but the Spiders found two more scores in the frame to go into the half tied with JMU.

Third Quarter – James Madison 10, Richmond 6

JMU was dominant in the third period, with Lauren Savage, Matthews, and Clark (two) all scoring in a quarter that saw the Dukes win every draw and only allow two shots from Richmond.
Moyer made two saves in the quarter, including one on a breakaway following a JMU turnover for Richmond's final shot of the period.

Fourth Quarter – James Madison 14, Richmond 10

Savannah Derey scored to open the fourth to give JMU its largest lead of the night, at 11-6.
Richmond scored four goals in the period but saw each one answered by JMU and couldn't get closer than four goals before JMU closed out the win.

Game Notes

JMU won its 10th straight against Richmond and improved to 48-3 all-time in the series.
With her lone goal, Maddie Epke has scored in 22 consecutive games.
With the victory, the Dukes extend their home win streak to 23 games.

Up Next
JMU travels to Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, March 1 for a neutral contest, taking on #5 Florida as part of the Crown Lacrosse Classic. The opening draw is slated for 11 a.m. and will stream on FloCollege Sports.