NEWS RELEASE
April 17th, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mike Mullen, SMAD/Sport Comm. Studies
mullenmx@dukes.jmu.edu
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a hard-fought match, the No. 14 James Madison lacrosse team suffered a 15-7 defeat against the No. 9 Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon.
The Dukes (10-4, 3-1) faced their first American Athletic Conference loss of the season as the Gators (13-2, 4-0) orchestrated a commanding 7-0 run in the final two quarters, clinching victory after a closely fought first half.
Senior attacker Isabella Peterson led James Madison’s scoring efforts with an impressive four goals, supported by contributions from sophomore attacker Maddie Epke, senior attacker Katelyn Morgan, and freshman attacker Emily Simkin, each scoring one goal. Epke and Morgan also added one assist each, with sophomore midfielder Brianna Mennella providing another assist.
On the defensive end, senior defender Lizzy Pirisino led with two ground balls and two caused turnovers, while freshman defender Maddie Weybrecht contributed with a ground ball and two caused turnovers. Sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Boden delivered a standout performance with a career-high three ground balls and 13 saves on 28 shots faced.
Despite the Dukes’ efforts, Florida’s Danielle Pavinelli and Maggi Hall led the Gators’ offensive charge, with Pavinelli recording two goals and three assists, and Hall securing two goals, two assists, five ground balls, and a caused turnover.
While James Madison narrowly outperformed Florida in draw controls, collecting 13 compared to Florida’s 12, the Gators maintained the advantage in shots, outshooting the Dukes 37-27, and ground balls, with 14 compared to the Dukes’ nine.
The loss marks the end of James Madison’s 18-game win streak over conference opponents in the regular season. Despite the defeat, the Dukes look ahead to their next challenge as they prepare to face AAC opponent Vanderbilt (7-6, 1-2) on Saturday, April 20, in their final home game of the 2024 season.
About JMU Women’s LAX
The James Madison University lacrosse team stands as a formidable force within the Sun Belt Conference, boasting a rich history of playoff triumphs and divisional victories. With a reputation for fierce competitiveness, the Dukes consistently showcase their prowess on the field, aiming for continued success and dominance within their conference. This season, they currently stand at 10-4 overall with high playoff expectations in the coming weeks. For more information, visit https://jmusports.com/sports/womens-lacrosse.