HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison’s lacrosse team soared to a 16-10 victory over Temple in American Conference action at Sentara Park on Saturday. The Dukes improved their record to 6-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
Kaitlyn Carney was the standout player of the game, scoring a career-high seven goals. Peyton Root also had a remarkable performance, racking up seven assists and scoring two goals. Olivia Matthews added three goals and an assist, marking her second hat trick of the season. On defense, Maddie Weybrecht contributed with two caused turnovers and a ground ball.
In goal, Abigail Beattie made ten saves, achieving a 50% save rate.
Temple’s Amelia Wright led the Owls with five goals, while Riley Horoshko, the goalie, made five saves throughout the match.
Game Breakdown:
First Quarter – James Madison jumped ahead early with Root scoring in the fourth minute. Though Temple tied it briefly with a free-position goal, Carney’s response restored the Dukes’ lead.
Second Quarter – The Owls started strong, tying the game at three. However, JMU finished the half strong, scoring three of the last four goals, with Matthews netting two.
Third Quarter – The Dukes found their rhythm, pouring in eight goals while limiting Temple to just three. Root and Carney linked up multiple times, dominating the draw circle with a 10-2 advantage.
Fourth Quarter – Although Temple fought back with three goals, it wasn’t enough, and JMU secured their conference win.
Game Highlights:
- Carney’s seven goals are tied for the second most in a single game in JMU’s history.
- Root’s six assists also rank high historically.
- Harlowe Healey set a new record with 17 draw controls, the highest in an American Conference game this season.
Looking Ahead: James Madison will travel to Pittsburgh for their next match, scheduled for Tuesday, March 31st, at 1 p.m., broadcasted on ACCNX.
Recent survey data shows that women’s lacrosse viewership has seen a 20% increase this season, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity. Fans across social media have praised the Dukes’ teamwork and intensity, making them a team to watch in the upcoming games.
For more insights on women’s lacrosse growth and trends, check out this report from the NCAA here.
