NEWS RELEASE
April 16, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Peter Fleischman | JMU Women’s Lacrosse Spokesman | fleiscpd@dukes.jmu.edu
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The James Madison Dukes suffered a heartbreaking loss to the #9 ranked Florida Gators with a score of 15-7 on Saturday, giving them a record of 10-4 on the season.
This is the first American Athletic Conference (AAC) loss of the season for the Dukes, thanks to Florida’s stellar defense in the second half of the matchup. The Gators only allowed three goals in the second half and were able to post 11 goals in that same half.
Senior attacker Isabella Peterson led the team with four goals during the game, a feat that is not unusual for the all-time franchise leader in goals. Katelyn Morgan, Maddie Epke, and Emily Simkin each had a goal of their own during the loss.
JMU’s senior defender Lizzy Pirisino led the team in ground ball defense and forced two turnovers. For the Dukes, sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Boden collected a career-high three ground balls, while rookie defender Maddie Weybrecht recovered a ground ball and forced two turnovers.
The first half of the game was competitive and low scoring, as both teams entered the locker rooms with four goals apiece. The second half is where Florida scored nine unanswered goals between the third and fourth quarters, propelling them past the Duke’s best efforts to keep the game close. JMU falls to 2-3 all time versus the Florida Gators.
After the game, Peterson was trying her best to lift the team’s spirits up. “I was telling them that they were able to hold the team to only four goals in the first half. Do you know how impressive that is? I’m just so proud of all of them despite the score.”
The Dukes will travel back home to face Vanderbilt on Saturday at noon.
About JMU Women’s Lacrosse
The team was founded in 1974 and they play for the AAC in Division I. Their home field is Sentara Park, located in JMU’s campus in Harrisonburg, VA. The team is led by head coach Shelley Klaes. They also have won one national championship in 2018. For more information, click the following link: https://jmusports.com/sports/womens-lacrosse