Apr 30 / Rob

JMU Women Went Next Level This Weekend


JMU Lacrosse ended it’s regular season with a huge clash at Towson on Saturday. The Dukes managed to earn the W in the most anticipated CAA Lacrosse game of the season. Kristen Gaudian came through in OT (again) to secure the 16-15 victory. The win gave Coach Shelley and the Dukes the regular season CAA title and the #1 seed in next weekend’s tournament, which JMU will host in the ‘burg. Additionally, the title means JMU will host the CAA tourney next year as well.

This was a game that lacrosse fans had circled on the calendar all season. Neither team disappointed. JMU lead by as many as 5 goals in the second half, but Towson hung in there and kept chipping away. Finally, they stormed back from 3 down in the closing minutes to tie the game and force the extra time. Sophomore Maddie McDaniel paced the Dukes with 4 goals, while Gaudian had a hat trick. The 31 combined goals were the most in the 42 year series between the teams.

Both teams face the very real possibility of a rematch next weekend for the CAA title. As yesterday’s game showed, the Dukes and Tigers are both talented squads with the potential to go deep in the NCAA tournament. We like JMU’s chances at home. The team has great senior leadership and is an explosive, yet balanced, offense. It’s the highest scoring team in CAA history. Through 17 games, the Dukes already have 272 goals. That best the record of 271 set by last year’s Dukes (in 4 more games by the way). This is a dangerous team. A very dangerous team.

Not be outdone, JMU Softball had quite a weekend as well. The ladies swept Hofstra in a 3 game series to regain sole possession of first place. The series featured 2 walk-off wins. Odicci Alexander went yard to break an 8-8 tie and give JMU a 9-8 win in the opening game. The Kiersten Roadcap ended the series finale with a 10th inning 3 run blast to secure an 11-8 W. In Saturday’s double-header, the Dukes hit a ridiculous 10 homers. Have a day ladies.

The Dukes are now 37-10, (16-2) and a game up on Hofstra with 3 games to play. They head to Philly to finish up the regular season with a series against Drexel. Once that wraps up, they’ll attempt to defend their title in the CAA tourney, which they’ll be hosting. It’s pretty remarkable considering they lost Megan Good, one of the top players in the entire country, before the season even began.

One Comment

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  1. ShadyP / Apr 30 2018

    Great job by both of these teams over the weekend. Some high drama and they answered the ‘bell’ each time.

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