University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
4-4, 0-0 A-10
James Madison
5-5, 0-0CAA
Women's Lacrosse Drops Heartbreaker at JMU, 8-7
03/27/2014 | Women's Lacrosse
Richmond led by a goal at halftime and by as many as two goals in the second half, but James Madison mounted a comeback and scored the game winner with 1:16 to go as the Spiders lost a heartbreaker 8-7 Wednesday evening in women's lacrosse action. Both teams now have level records, Richmond at 4-4 and JMU at 5-5 after the game.
The Spiders got a career-high three goals from sophomore Brooke Wilson (Ijamsville, Md.) in the loss and the defense held the offensive-minded Dukes to just two goals in a 36-minute stretch across both halves.
“We executed on both ends well in the first half,” said Richmond head coach Allison Evans.
“Defensively, we had a good gameplan executed it well. On the attacking end, we played assertively. When it came down to the end of the game, we just didn't finish. Things got frantic and we lost control of the game. We learned some really good lessons from the day and I continue to be impressed with how this team is developing.”
The Dukes scored the first two goals of the game in the first four minutes and looked to run away with the contest, but Wilson found the net at the 23:39 mark to get the Spiders on the board.
After a third JMU goal, the Spiders scored on back-to-back goals to tie the game at three. Senior Hayley Ross (Annapolis, Md.) floated a goal in before sophomore Charlett Stevenson (Darien, Conn.) tied the game at the 13:44 mark.
The Dukes scored a little over two minutes later, but Richmond closed with two goals to take the halftime lead. Junior Anna Jeszeck (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) put in a free position shot at the 10-minute mark and Wilson's second goal put the Spiders up 5-4 to the intermission.
JMU won nine of the 10 draws in the first half, but the Dukes also gave away nine turnovers in the opening period.
After JMU scored in the first two minutes of the second half to force the tie, Richmond again scored twice for the 7-5 lead. Stevenson put in her second goal of the game at 26: 53 and Wilson followed exactly two minutes later.
The Spiders defense took the ball away in its own zone several times, but the Dukes managed the last three goals of the game, despite several attempts on goal by Richmond going away.
Junior goalie Emily Boyce (Middletown, Md.) faced 23 shots and made six saves in the contest for her 4-4 mark.
The Spiders will host Longwood Sunday at 1 p.m. at Robins Stadium to finish the non-conference portion of the schedule. Admission is free.
