WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison field hockey (8-7, 7-1 MAC) allowed three second-half goals and ultimately fell 4-0 to No. 10 Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Though the Dukes competed hard on the field, JMU was outnumbered statistically, trailing 22-5 in shots, 9-3 in shots on goal and 9-2 in penalty corners. Diede Donders and Azul Covarrubias each recorded a pair of shots while Avery Ruckman also managed a shot on goal. In goal, Lilly Sweeney made five saves while surrendering four scores.
How It Happened
• James Madison was active in the first quarter, registering a pair of penalty corner opportunities. Both PC shots were taken by Covarrubias as she had the first one blocked and the second one stopped by Ava Moore with a defensive save. Immediately after the Demon Deacons’ stand, Bianca Rees-Gibbs found the back of the net in transition, scoring the lone goal of the first half in the 3rd minute.
• Down a goal, Donders inserted herself into the action, taking the ball into the shooting circle and firing off a backhand delivery that was neatly saved by Ruby Butterfield.
• Wake Forest tacked on a second goal in the 44th minute as Rees-Gibbs flung the ball between her legs and into the top bin of the cage.
• Sweeney protected the cage fiercely to start the fourth as the fourth year goalkeeper nabbed a pair of saves on shots from Rees-Gibbs in the 48th minute.
• Mia Montag recorded a fourth-quarter brace, tapping in goals in the 53rd minute and 55th minute to add some insurance for the Demon Deacons.
Game Notes
• JMU’s seven game win streak was snapped as Sunday’s loss is the Dukes first since Sept. 25. The wins streak was the program’s longest since 2008, when the Dukes rattled off 11 in a row en route to an NCAA Tournament bid.
• The Dukes are 0-3 against ACC foes in 2026 with losses to No. 9 Duke 5-1 and No. 11 Virginia 7-0 coming earlier this season.
• JMU had scored a goal in nine consecutive games as this is just the second time the Dukes have been shutout all season.
Up Next
James Madison competes for a share of the MAC regular season title as the Dukes square off with No. 4 Massachusetts Friday at 2 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
