Cavaliers Rally to Defeat JMU 8-6

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March 30, 2005

The Virginia defense, led by Ginger Miles’ 12 saves, allowed only one 8-meter attempt and held the JMU Dukes (5-3) to three goals in each half, helping the #2 Cavaliers to an 8-6 victory today (Mar 30) in Harrisonburg. Virginia (7-1) was led by Elizabeth Pinney who had three caused turnovers and Miles, who added four ground balls to her 12 saves. The Hoos were led offensively by Amy Appelt, who had two goals and two assists, all coming in the first half, while Tyler Leachman added two goals and Courtney Young had a goal and an assist. JMU’s Jess Brownridge had three goals to lead their offensive effort.

The Dukes got on the board first as Julie Stone converted a pass from Brownridge just three minutes into the game. The Cavaliers answered 10 minutes later as Miles made a save and Virginia transitioned the ball upfield where Appelt rolled the crease to tie the game at 1-1. Five minutes later Brownridge scored to put JMU up 2-1, but the Cavaliers scored twice in a span of 1:36 to take a 3-2 lead. Nikki Lieb raced down an overthrow, one of her four ground balls on the day, and Virginia quickly brought the ball upfield where Appelt dumped the ball into Cary Chasney for a quickstick goal at 18:09. Molly Urlock won the ensuing draw control and the Cavaliers took the ball into their offensive zone where Appelt drove to the cage and was fouled. She converted the 8-meter free position attempt to give Virginia the 3-2 lead at 19:45. JMU tied the game minutes later when Kelly Berger intercepted a pass and took it straight to the cage, tying the game at 3-3 with 7:17 to play in the half.

The Dukes gained possession of the ball but an errant throw upfield was chased down by Ashley Dodson, giving the Cavaliers possession. Virginia brought the ball upfield where Appelt fed a cutting Tyler Leachman, who raced down the arc and buried the ball for a 4-3 lead at 25:14. The Cavaliers took the 4-3 lead into halftime.

Chasney won the opening draw of the second half and in the settled attack Kate Breslin dumped the ball to a cutting Kim Connors, who scored just 57 seconds into the period. Virginia won the next draw, but JMU gained possession and brought the ball upfield before turning it over just outside the goal circle, where it was picked up by Miles. In the transition, Courtney Young fed Lieb, who scored from the top and gave the Cavaliers a 6-3 lead at 35:38. Miles again started the next scoring play, making a save and starting a transition that was finished as Appelt passed the ball to Leachman at the top of the arc where she was fouled. On the restart, Leachman put the ball in the net, giving the Cavaliers a 7-3 lead at 40:14.

Madison staged a furious rally, as Brownridge scored a pair of goals just 2:42 apart and then Betsey Priest scored 38 seconds after Brownridge’s second goal to pull JMU within one at 7-6 with 15:08 to play.

Again Miles made the play that started the next Virginia goal. After a save, the Cavaliers brought the ball upfield where they spread their attack. Lieb got the ball at the top of the arc and drew an obstruction to free space foul. Her shot was saved by Amy Altig, but an alert Courtney Young picked up the rebound and stuck it back in the net for a goal at 57:12. JMU won the ensuing draw, but an errant pass was picked up by Lieb, and the Cavaliers controlled the ball the remainder of the game.

Virginia returns to action on Saturday, April 2 as they host the Duke Blue Devils. Game time is 12:00 noon at Klockner Stadium.

Linescore	1	2	F	recordsVirginia	4	4	8	(7-1)James Mad.	3	3	6	(5-3)

Scoring summary3:00 JM Stone Brownridge 0-112:14 VA Appelt — 1-117:03 JM Brownridge — 1-218:09 VA Chasney Appelt 2-219:45 VA Appelt 8m 3-222:43 JM Berger — 3-325:14 VA Leachman Appelt 4-330:57 VA Connors Breslin 5-335:38 VA Lieb Young 6-340:14 VA Leachman — 7-341:28 JM Brownridge Berger 7-444:14 JM Brownridge — 7-544:52 JM Priest McKenzie 7-657:12 VA Young — 8-6

Goals: VA: Appelt 2, Leachman 2, Chasney, Connors, Lieb, Young JM: Brownridge 3, Berger, Stone, Priest

Assists: VA: Appelt 2, Breslin, Young JM: Brownridge, Berger, McKenzie

Goalies; VA: Miles (60 mins, 12 saves, 6 GA) JM: Altig (60 mins, 7 saves, 8 GA)

Shots: VA 27, JM 28Draws: VA 10, JM 6Ground balls: VA 19, JM 18Turnovers: VA 15, JM 13Caused turnovers: VA 3, JM 6Fouls: VA 5, JM 11Clearing: VA 12-17, JM 12-148-meter free position attempts: VA 7, JM 18-meter free position shots: VA 5, JM 1