Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, VA. – The Hokies put together a balanced scoring attack, but the Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team was unable to overcome two James Madison runs and Tech fell in a non-conference match to the visiting Dukes 14-9 on Saturday afternoon at Thompson Field. No. 19 James Madison opened its season 1-0, while Virginia Tech drops to 0-3 on the year.
James Madison scored early and never trailed in the match as Casey Ancarrow, who led all players with four goals on the day, opened the scoring less than two minutes into the contest. Dylan Garner (So., Cornelius, N.C.) wasted little time negating JMU’s early advantage and knotted the game at one-all on a free position shot at the 26:43 mark. The goal was Garner’s second of the young season.
The two teams battled back and forth during a six minute span, but Ancarrow struck again and ignited a 4-0 Duke run over the next five minutes. The Dukes’ defense also caused problems for the Hokies shutting out Tech until the 8:41 mark when Tori O’Shea (Fr., Richmond, Va.) netted a goal on a pass from Shannon Bone (Fr., Pylesville, Md.), bringing the score to 5-2.
Ryan Rotanz (Fr., Salem, Va.) picked up the first and second goals of her career near the end of the first half, however, James Madison also registered two scores and the Dukes took a 7-4 lead into halftime.
Rachel Culp (Sr., Kent, Ohio) opened the second period with her fourth goal of the season to narrow the lead to two with 29:21 left in the contest. With the goal, Culp has now registered a score in 12 consecutive matches dating back to last season.
Yet the Hokies could not cut the lead any closer the rest of the way as James Madison put away the match with a 7-1 scoring streak over the next 13:37.
Tech ended the contest with goals by Liz Carpenter (So., Lewes, Del.), Caitlyn Wier (So., Cockeysville, Md.) and Jessica Nonn (Fr., Catonsville, Md.) to bring the final score to 14-9.
In addition to Ancarrow’s performance, James Madison had three other players with at three goals apiece, while the Hokies put together a more balanced scoring attack with seven players picking up goals. Nonn and Rotanz led Tech with two goals each.
Kari Morrison (Sr., Springfield, Va.) started in net for Vriginia Tech and made 11 saves. Her JMU counterpart, Alex Menghetti, also recorded 11 saves in the contest.
The Hokies hit the road for their next match at William and Mary on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.