Dukes slay Dragons
Dukes deal Drexel first loss to open conference schedule
By John Galle, sports editor
Posted on April 3, 2006

The No. 17 JMU women’s lacrosse team (6-3) opened Colonial Athletic Association play Friday at JMU Lacrosse Complex by handing Drexel (8-1) its first loss of the season, 15-10.

Despite their excellent start in non-conference play, the Dragons couldn’t hold off the multi-pronged Dukes’ offense.

“We have more people that can score,” JMU coach Kellie Young said. “We have a balanced attack, and that’s what helped us win today, because they did a nice job on Kelly Berger.”

Double-teaming the junior midfielder proved effective — for the most part. Berger was still able to make her presence known as she had two second-half goals and two assists on the day, while working the inside lanes. And Drexel’s focus on shutting down Berger freed up other JMU players.

“Our girls came out a little intimidated,” Drexel coach Anna Vesco said. “We knew we had to buckle down on [Berger], so we were keying on her, but everybody else came to step up.”

Dukes senior attacker Brooke McKenzie remained a force on offense scoring a game-high five points with four goals and one assist. Junior midfielder Lynlea Cronin added four goals for the Dukes.

Drexel had only allowed double-digit scoring once in their nine previous games coming into Friday’s matchup.

After scoring in the first 26 seconds to start the game, Drexel allowed seven unanswered JMU goals as the Dukes took a 7-1 lead with 14:17 remaining in the first half. The run was started by back-to-back goals by junior attacker Maria Bosica, while McKenzie finished it off with a consecutive pair of her own. That surge proved to be the difference in the game.

At the end of the first half, JMU allowed three Drexel goals and things started to get heated.

“It’s definitely always personal,” McKenzie said. “Lacrosse is personal, protecting out turf is personal, and we are going to do everything we can to keep the other team out.”
Young added, “We were getting frustrated with the calls going the other way.”

After a questionable foul called against JMU, Young was yellow-carded for coming off the sideline and arguing with the referee. Young said she thought it was a charge — as did most of the 200 spectators in attendance.

The Dukes responded early in the second half with a run of three goals by McKenzie, Berger and Cronin.

Even with JMU up 11-4 on the scoreboard, Drexel was not finished with 19:09 remaining in the game.

After a stagnant 10 minutes of play, the Dukes held the lead, 14-7. Comfortably in front, the Dukes began to let Drexel back in it.

“We had silly turnovers in the midfield,” Young said. “Our goalie or our defense would make a great stop, and then we’d turn it over. And on the attack, we just started to underestimate the goalie and take weak shots, and that’s not how you win a game.”

The Dukes take to the road Friday to play Old Dominion at 3 p.m. JMU’s next home game is Sunday against William & Mary at noon.