August 28, 2005

BOX SCORE

HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 4-0 field hockey decision at James Madison University Sunday afternoon in its 2005 season-opener played in Harrisonburg. The Lancers dropped to 0-1 this season, while James Madison improved to 2-0. Longwood will play its next match next Saturday, September 3 against Robert Morris at James Madison in Harrisonburg at 9:30 a.m.

James Madison scored less than three minutes into the contest to take an early 1-0 lead. Lauren Walls tallied the goal off an assist by sister Ashley Walls. Longwood buckled down and held the Dukes’ scoreless for the rest of the half. Sophomore goalkeeper Avanell Schmitz/Newport News (Denbigh), who started her first collegiate game, was strong in front of the net, making eight saves in the first half.

James Madison scored its second goal of the afternoon at the 38:56 mark when Baillie Versfeld notched an unassisted goal. Laura Pruett put the Dukes ahead 3-0 with an unassisted goal of her own with 15:12 to play, while Amy DeCecco closed out the scoring for JMU when she deflected in Mallory Counihan’s shot off a penalty corner with less than seven minutes to play in the game.

"Despite JMU’s quick start, I was very pleased with how our team played," stated eighth-year head coach Nancy Joel. "Our defense played exceptionally strong, as well as Avanell Schmitz who stepped up her game in goal. I am extremely excited for the upcoming weekend against Robert Morris and UMBC."

James Madison took the 33-1 edge in shots and a 14-0 edge in penalty corners. Schmitz finished the contest with 14 saves for the Lancers, while Lori Amico and Merel Broekhuizen shared the shutout for JMU.