Field hockey loses conference game to ODU

Undaunted by their opponent, No.6-ranked Old Dominion University, and the sub-40-degree ambience, the host Dukes battled and fell 2-1 Friday night at the JMU Field Hockey Complex.

"This season has been a gradual learning process," sophomore midfielder Baillie Versfeld said. "You pick up pieces as you go along."

Despite their record, JMU looked to pick up its third conference win and work toward the postseason against ODU.

Under frigid conditions, the Dukes kept the visiting Monarchs in their sights. Down only 1-0 after 56 minutes, the Dukes let a jumble of players in front of their net muscle home the game’s second and decisive goal.

JMU shared possession of the ball equally with ODU, but could not come up with a rebuttal.

"We could have been more aggressive on the 50/50 balls," senior forward Heidi Beck said. "Instead of allowing them to gain possession and then defend from there, we should have taken more initiative when the ball was up for grabs."

Beck attributed the offense’s inability to score to an adjustment in formation.

"We started with two forwards up front instead of our usual three," she said. "When we switched back to using three, things started to flow a bit better."

The Dukes were outshot 16-11. With less than eight minutes remaining, Versfeld hit one of those 11 — a shot off a penalty corner — into the goal.

"I just saw a hole, stuck my head down and went for it," Versfeld said.

The Dukes will continue their fight Monday at home against the College of William & Mary. Game time is 1 p.m.