TOWSON, Md. - Amy Daniel converted a second-half penalty stroke to give #20 James Madison a 3-2 win over the Tigers on Friday night in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams. The Dukes (5-5, 1-0 CAA) needed a pair of second half goals to overcome a 2-1 Towson (4-5, 0-1 CAA) lead.

"I'm proud of our kids and how they hung with a top #20 team tonight," said Coach Michelle Webber. "I thought we really battled tonight and communicated well. Hopefully we can build on this going forward"

The Dukes struck first in the game on a penalty corner at 9:54 of the first half. Daniel scored her ninth goal of the year off an assist from Lindsay Cutchins.

The Tigers were able to get the equalizer on Kim Schnell's first career goal. Schnell's goal came at 20:08 as Janine Kovach inserted the ball on a corner opportunity.

The two teams entered the half tied at 1-1. The Tigers held a 7-5 edge in shots and a 6-5 advantage in penalty corners at the break.

Towson took a 2-1 lead in the game at 42:20 of the second half. Blythe Mackie controlled the ball off a scramble in the front of the net and found Kovach with a pass near the corner of the net. Kovach was able to push the ball home for her first career goal.

James Madison tied the game at 2-2 at 45:15 as Cutchins converted on a pass from Dolores de Rooij. Daniel was awarded the penalty stroke at 54:56 and pushed it home for the go ahead goal and eventually the win.

Margo Savage earned the win in goal for the Dukes as she made four saves. Whitney Clugston made five saves for the Tigers in the loss. Schnell had a defensive save for the Tigers as well.

James Madison finished the game with a 12-11 edge in shots. The Tigers held a 10-9 advantage in penalty corners and a 6-4 edge in saves.

The Tigers return to action on Sunday, September 26 when they host Virginia Commonwealth at noon. The Rams were 2-1 double overtime winners at Delaware on Friday night.

-- TIGERS --