The Shadow
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Ten different Dukes found the scoring column as James Madison lacrosse handled the Liberty Flames, 16-4, at the Liberty Lacrosse Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Jordan Peterson led the scoring onslaught for JMU (3-4) with four goals and an assist, also tallying a caused turnover. Kaitlyn Carney and Emily Simkin each added two goals and an assist. Payton Root logged two scores and a ground ball.
Olivia Rongo led a defense that caused 14 turnovers, accounting for four herself while also gathering four ground balls. Ava Bleckley forced three turnovers to tie her season best, as Lauren Savage and Juliana Cerasi finished with two apiece.
Abigail Beattie handled goalie duties for the Dukes, making five saves and holding a .556 save percentage.
Fayedra Vang and Sophia Nesci were the Liberty (1-5) goal scorers, each picking up two. Rachel Hines got the start in the cage, playing the entirety of the contest and stopping 13 shots.
How it Happened
First Quarter – James Madison 5, Liberty 2
- After jumping out to a 2-1 start, the Dukes embarked on a 3-0 run with three different goal scorers to lead by four with just under seven minutes to play in the quarter.
- The JMU defense kept the Flames quiet in the quarter, allowing only three shots with one on goal.
Second Quarter – James Madison 8, Liberty 3
- LU scored the first goal of the quarter at the 10:56 mark from a free position to cut JMU’s lead to two at 5-3.
- The Duke closed the quarter on a 3-0 run, including two from Peterson, while holding Liberty to only two shots the remainder of the quarter.
Third Quarter – James Madison 13, Liberty 4
- After the first eight minutes of the half went scoreless, the Dukes picked up right where they left off with five straight goals to take a 13-3 lead at the 1:51 mark.
- Liberty ended its drought with a free position goal from Vang to bring the deficit back into the single digits.
Fourth Quarter – James Madison 16, Liberty 4
- JMU held Liberty scoreless and netted three more scores to pick up its first road win of the season.
Game Notes
- JMU’s 27 ground balls are the most in a game since grabbing the same amount against Vanderbilt in 2024.
- Simkin, Jolie Schiavo, and Grayson Anne McCurdy each scored their first goals of the season.
- Peterson has scored multiple goals in six games this season.
- Rongo’s four caused turnovers mark her fourth straight game with three or more.
- The Dukes’ 8-0 scoring run is their longest of the season thus far
