KENT, Ohio (JMU Athletics) – Ava Drexler-Amey sent in a cross that trickled past the Kent State defense to lift James Madison past the Golden Flashes in double overtime, 3-2, in Mid-American Conference field hockey action on Sunday afternoon at Murphy-Mellis Field.
With the win, the Dukes (10-7, 5-3 MAC) have recorded double-digit victories in four of the last five seasons. For KSU (4-10, 3-5 MAC), it will look to keep its playoff hopes alive as it fights for one of the two remaining spots in the upcoming MAC Field Hockey Championship, Nov. 5-8.
Jola Ollrogge and Sydney Raguini both notched the first goals of their careers, while Azul Covarrubias dished out an assist in the win. Hannah Popolis tied her career high in saves with five in 73:10 of action.
Maybritt Duwel led the Kent State attack with one goal and one assist for three points. Delfina Larripa came off the bench to score the equalizer in the fourth, while Roos Ten pas added an assist. Netminder Allison Wood registered four saves in the loss.
Quoting Head Coach Christy Morgan
“Kent State came to play today. It was a battle, and in the end, we stepped up and finished! Some great lessons were learned from the challenge today, which will help us prepare for Friday. If it were easy, we may not have grown as much, so the more lessons, the better. My goal is to get every ounce of potential out of this group this year. Here we go!”
How It Happened
• JMU broke through with just over five minutes remaining in the first half when Ollrogge took a direct shot off an assist from Covarrubias to take a 1-0 lead entering the intermission.
• Kent State dominated possession to begin the third quarter, converting on a penalty corner with a diving tap-in from Ten pas on the back right post from Duwel to make it 1-1 halfway through the frame.
• Raguini drove down the right side of the circle and attempted to cross the ball to a teammate, but the pass ricocheted off a KSU defender for an own goal for a 2-1 JMU lead with 7:35 remaining.
• Larripa found the back of the net with under three minutes to go off a shot that was partially blocked by Drexler-Amey, but popped up and over Popolis for the equalizer to force overtime.
• In the second extra period, Kenzie King connected with Drexler-Amey streaking down the left side, who sent a hard pass to Julie Narleski on the near post, however, the pass bounced through to the back right corner for the game-winning goal.
Game Notes
• James Madison held an edge in shots (17-13), and shots on goal (8-7), while Kent State drew more penalty corners (7-6).
• The Dukes limited KSU to one shot across the first two quarters for their 12th first-half shutout of the season.
• JMU is 3-3 in one-score games and 2-2 in overtime contests this season.
• With goals from Ollrogge and Raguini, 12 Dukes have found the back of the net in 2024-25, with seven recording multiple scores.
• Drexler-Amey’s score marked the first game-winning goal of her career.
Up Next
The Dukes will welcome Ohio for Senior Day on Friday, Oct. 31. The Halloween tilt is scheduled for 2 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
