Dukes edge Spiders

In a game deemed as "must-win," the Dukes eked out a one-goal victory over non-conference rival Richmond on Saturday.

"This game was absolutely a must-win, four our confidence and our goals," JMU coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe said. "And we're still searching for an at large bid [to the NCAA tournament]."

Led by 2007 CAA Player of the Year and senior co-captain Annie Wagner's three goals, JMU beat Richmond 11-10. Senior attacker Emily Haller and senior midfielder Julie Stone each added a pair of goals, while Haller also had two assists. Seven Dukes scored at least one goal.

The Spiders took an early lead, scoring their first goal 1:02 into the game. Richmond attacker Lexie Marrocco scored her first of a team-high three goals by bouncing a shot past JMU senior goalkeepers Kelly Wetzel's feet-it was the only time the Spiders would have the lead.

Moments later, Madison tied the game on senior attacker Natasha Fuchs' goal, one of five unanswered as JMU out shot Richmond 18-9 in the first half.

The Dukes had an 8-3 lead as the second half was winding down, but three unanswered goals by Richmond in the last ten minutes brought the score 8-6 at half-time.

But unassisted goals by Haller and sophomore midfielder Kim Griffin helped reserve the momentum early in the second half and gave the Dukes a 10-6 lead. Richmond again responded as junior attacker Mandy Friend and senior attacker Jenna Hubbard scored and the Spiders cut the lead to two. 

With seven minutes to go, Haller scored her second goal of the game and gave the Dukes the final points they would need to seal a victory.

But not before Richmond made a final surge. Marrocco scored her third goal of the game to cut JMU's lead to 11-9, and with 27 seconds left in regulation junior attacker Allison Furstenburg scored her second goal as the Spiders only trailed by one.

Fortunately for the Dukes it was too little, too late for Richmond. JMU won the final face-off and held onto the ball for the remainder of the game.

"I never had a doubt we'd win," JMU junior attacker Jess Brophy said. "This was a must win -- every game is a must win, especially since we didn't start out as strong as we would've like to."

The Dukes started off the season 1-3 before back-to-back wins against Virginia Tech and Richmond. With Saturday's win, the Dukes improved to 3-0 at home.

The Dukes' next game is Wednesday at Princeton at 2 p.m