Dukes Defeat ECU, Returns to American Conference Championship

Thursday, April 30

Nashville, Tenn.

8:40 p.m. ET (7:40 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

12-6

ECU

8-9

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
East Carolina	1	3	2	1	7
James Madison	2	1	2	4	9

JMU Lacrosse celebrates after defeating ECU in the 2026 American Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship

Dukes Defeat ECU, Returns to American Conference Championship

4/30/2026 11:50:00 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Down two goals in the fourth, James Madison lacrosse fought back to claim a 9-7 victory over East Carolina in the semifinals of the 2026 American Conference Championship at FirstBank Stadium on Thursday night.

JMU (12-6, 6-1 American) outscored the Pirates 4-1 in the fourth quarter to punch its ticket to the American Conference title game in consecutive seasons. Jordan Peterson and Bre McVicker led the offense with two goals apiece, with McVicker scoring the go-ahead goal in the fourth.

Ava Bleckley anchored the defense, causing three turnovers and a ground ball. Ava Main contributed a pair of caused turnovers and three ground balls.

Abigail Beattie got the start in cage, playing all 60 minutes and making five saves.

ECU (8-9, 3-4 American) was paced by three goals from Katelyn Sclafani. Jaime Behar got the start at goalkeeper, making 15 saves in 60 minutes played.

How it Happened
First Quarter – James Madison 2, East Carolina 1

Both teams were quiet to begin the match until Josie Pell scored to give JMU a 1-0 lead with 6:06 to play in the first.
After the Pirates answered with score of their own, a free position goal from Peterson gave the Dukes a one goal lead heading into the second.

Second Quarter – James Madison 3, East Carolina 4

East Carolina controlled the second quarter, going on a 3-0 run and saving three JMU shots to go up 4-2 with 5:34 remaining in the half.
With 21 seconds to play in the quarter, Emily Simkin fed Chloe Bleckley to close the JMU deficit to one at the half.

Third Quarter – James Madison 5, East Carolina 6

Matthews tied the contest at four apiece after netting a goal in the fourth minute of the quarter.
Both squads scored in the final five minutes to maintain the tie, however a Pirate goal with less than a minute remaining put ECU up one heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter – James Madison 9, East Carolina 7

After a Pirate score made it a two-goal game, three straight from JMU including back-to-back goals from McVicker gave JMU its first lead since the first quarter.
A Kaitlyn Carney goal put the game out of reach for ECU, allowing JMU to advance to the American Conference Championship for the fourth consecutive season.

Quick Facts

Peterson's nine shots are a career high.
McVicker's six shots are a career high.

Up Next

The Dukes find themselves in a rematch of last year's American Championship, facing South Florida in the finals of the 2026 American Championship at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday, May 2. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ESPN+.