BOX SCORE TOWSON, Md. - Senior
Katie Ponce and sophomore
Marissa Green each scored a goal as Towson (3-5-2, 0-1 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)) fought hard to the end of a 4-2 loss to James Madison (6-4, 1-0 CAA) Friday afternoon at Tiger Soccer Complex.
The first half of the game was evenly contested, and the Dukes got on the board in an unusual manner. Ashley Herndon sent a cross into a crowded six-yard box where it ricocheted off several people before it spun into the back of the net, last touched by Katherine Bukovsky at 28:52.
"I thought we played really well in the first half," noted Head Coach
Greg Paynter. "I thought it was pretty even. They got a soft goal, but I was really pleased with what we brought in the first half, all the way around."
The second half got off to a frenetic pace, with JMU taking two quick shots on one possession. Katie Hyland doubled the Dukes' advantage when she slotted home a shot off a long forward pass from Herndon. The Tigers got one back after Ponce froze two defenders at the top of the 18-yard box. She sent a hard shot top left corner to cut JMU's lead to 3-2 at 52:59.
"It became more of a wide open game," Paynter continued. "We had to chase the game coming out of the first half down 1-0, and then we really had to chase the game after they scored. I thought we did a good job of pressing the game was it was 2-0 and then when it was 2-1."
However, James Madison answered almost immediately when Sam Lofton took a free kick after a foul and her ball found the head of Rachel Ivey, who beat Tiger keeper
Erin Quinn high left at 54:55. Green pulled the Tigers to within one again, 3-2, when she benefitted from a spilled save after teammate
Gabby Scirica's shot was initially stopped by JMU's Ellen Forrest. Green collected the ball and beat Forrest to the left.
Caroline Fitzgerald sealed the win for the Dukes with her goal at 76:11 after a Lofton corner kick.
The Tigers return to action on Friday, Oct. 3 at Northeastern at 6 p.m. They continue down to Hofstra on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.
