Dukes depose Monarchs at home

JMU stops losing skid at two games; controls second half

Carolyn Walser / senior photographer Junior Brooke McKenzie scored four goals Sunday.

Coming off consecutive losses for the first time in over a year, JMU took its frustration out on the Old Dominion University Monarchs Sunday.

Seven JMU players scored goals, as the Dukes outscored the Monarchs 10-1 in the second half and rolled to a 15-3 win, at the JMU Lacrosse Complex.

"We moved the ball a lot better today," JMU junior attacker Brooke McKenzie said. "Obviously we had a tough loss on Friday against William & Mary so we came out fired up."

McKenzie in particular was fired up, scoring four goals over a 20-minute span midway through the game. Three of her goals were set up by senior attacker Jessica Brownridge, the last of which gave JMU a 7-2 lead with 24:19 left in the game.

"JB and I work really well together," McKenzie said. "We have similar playing styles and she knows exactly how to read me and get me the ball."

Brownridge finished the game with three assists. The Whitby, Ontario native added two goals of her own — No.’s 100 and 101 of her career.

"It’s beyond what she did on the attack," JMU coach Kellie Young said. "She got four of the first five draw controls and she was a presence on defense. This was the best game I’ve seen her play."

Brownridge, who currently ranks No. 11 on JMU’s career goals list, was quick to delegate the success.

"We got everyone on the same page," Brownridge said. "We don’t need one or two people scoring five or six goals, we need five or six people scoring. To outscore them 10-1 in the second half, that’s huge."

The second half scoring run was largely attributed to JMU’s ability to get the ball in transition, stretching ODU’s defense and making the Monarchs run.

"Our fast break is the best part of our game," Young said. "We were pushing and running and we had good connections through the midfield. It helped us have a well-run attack.

"Everyone really stepped up and the thing that impressed me was we weren’t taking stupid shots. We were effective."

Defensively, JMU allowed one goal over the game’s final 47:28, cutting off lanes and keeping the Monarchs out of the middle.

"The defense did a wonderful job today allowing only three goals," senior goalkeeper Amy Altig said. "They communicated, slid and marked-up well."

When the Monarchs did get scoring opportunities, Altig was up to the challenge, saving 15 of the 18 shots she faced, despite being under the weather.

"We weren’t really sure if she was going to play today," Young said. "She blocked it out and focused on playing the ball against a team that she doesn’t typically play well against."

JMU hosts the University of Delaware Blue Hens Friday at 4 p.m.