April 5, 2003
Final Stats
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland women's lacrosse team was handed its first loss of the 2003 campaign as the James Madison Dukes pulled out a 9-8 win at Byrd Stadium. The Terrapins -- who came from behind on Wednesday against Georgetown -- now stand at 11-1 (3-0 ACC) while JMU moves to 8-3 on the season.
In the first half, the Terps had trouble getting started on the offensive end and James Madison took advantage. The Dukes got strong play from its two leading scorers -- Lisa Staedt and Gail Decker -- as the duo rattled off two goals apiece in the game's first 13:29, staking JMU to a 4-1 lead.
With 11:20 left in the half, the Terp offense got going as senior Sonia Judd scored on a free position goal. Freshman Delia Cox -- who would finish the week with six goals -- and sophomore Kristie Leggio each tallied a pair of goals before the end of the half and with the Dukes finding the net twice in the half's final 10 minutes, the two teams would head to the locker room with the score knotted at six.
As it did in the first half, the Terrapins started slow in the second half and James Madison took advantage. Staedt scored her third goal of the game at the 32:36 mark, Decker found the net at 44:39 and Brooke McKenzie scored at 46:20 and the Terps all of a sudden trailed by three with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Maryland started its comeback with 11:21 left in the game as Judd again scored on a free position, but the Dukes -- as they did all game -- won the ensuing draw and started running the clock. After a turnover, JMU got the ball back with 9:00 remaining and stalled for the next six minutes, holding the ball on the wings. With 2:56 left, the Dukes turned it over and Judd came away with the ground ball and headed for goal. Fourteen seconds later, she found Acacia Walker in front of the net and the James Madison lead was cut to one.
The Dukes again came away with the next draw and successfully held the ball for over a minute. With 1:26 left, Annie Collins caused a turnover near midfield and Judd scooped it up, again racing to the goal. She was ultimately fouled inside the eight meter and awarded a free position, her second of the game. Uncharacteristically, however, her shot with 1:14 left went wide right and James Madison ran down the ground ball. The Dukes then successfully ran out the clock under a barrage of attacking Maryland defenders.
Statistically, Maryland's troubles seemed to come in coming up with the loose balls as James Madison had eight more ground balls (23-15) and came up with five more draws (12-7) than did the Terps.
Judd led all Maryland scorers with a pair of goals and an assist. Cox and Leggio each added a pair of goals while Coppedge had a goal and a pair of assists. JMU's Decker led all scorers with four goals while Staedt had three with one assist.
Maryland returns to action this Tuesday as it will host William & Mary in a 4:00 p.m. game from Ludwig Field. It will then play host to Johns Hopkins on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. before beginning preparations for the 2003 ACC Tournament which is the following weekend.
