Field Hockey

Eagles Edge No. 19 JMU to Sweep Weekend Matches

Box Score

WASHINGTON – Goals by Natalie Konerth and Lucy Whalley lifted American University to a 2-1 victory over 19th-ranked James Madison Sunday in a non-conference field hockey match at Jacobs Field.

The Eagles, who won both matches over the weekend, improved to 3-1 this season, while the Dukes fell to 3-1 overall. AU was playing its fourth straight home match of the early going, with all four matches being played against opponents from Virginia.
 
Konerth scored on a high shot just 58 seconds into the second half, earning her third goal of the season.
 
Nine minutes later, the Eagles picked up one of their nine penalty corners of the match, with Whalley converting a rebound off a shot from Angela Virtu.
 
James Madison, which earned a 19-10 edge in shots, got on the scoreboard just 29 seconds later when Miranda Rigg came open in front and scored on a low shot inside the right post.
 
The Eagles' backline defense, anchored by Virtu, Rachel Stefano and Katie McCormick, played well against the offense-minded Dukes, who had outscored their first three opponents 14-5 coming into Sunday's match.
Sophomore Maura Jacobs surved a second-half barrage of 14 JMU shots to earn her second win in as many starts this season. She finished with eight saves, while Dukes goalkeeper Sara Kraeutler had four saves.
 
AU finished with a 9-5 edge in corners, including a 6-2 advantage in the first half.
 
American travels to College Park, Md., next weekend to play in the Terrapin Invitational. The Eagles face Fairfield on Saturday at 1 p.m. and will face either California or Maryland on Sunday in the second round.
 
AU's next home match is on Sept.24 against Lehigh.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Maura Jacobs

#81 Maura Jacobs

GK
5' 6"
Sophomore
Natalie Konerth

#23 Natalie Konerth

F
5' 5"
Senior
Katie McCormick

#7 Katie McCormick

D
5' 3"
Junior
Rachel Stefano

#3 Rachel Stefano

D
5' 0"
Sophomore
Angela Virtu

#9 Angela Virtu

D
5' 2"
Junior
Lucy Whalley

#26 Lucy Whalley

F
5' 7"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Maura Jacobs

#81 Maura Jacobs

5' 6"
Sophomore
GK
Natalie Konerth

#23 Natalie Konerth

5' 5"
Senior
F
Katie McCormick

#7 Katie McCormick

5' 3"
Junior
D
Rachel Stefano

#3 Rachel Stefano

5' 0"
Sophomore
D
Angela Virtu

#9 Angela Virtu

5' 2"
Junior
D
Lucy Whalley

#26 Lucy Whalley

5' 7"
Sophomore
F