University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
James Madison
Huskies Edged Out By Dukes, 15-14
2/17/2024 3:57:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SPARKS, Md. – The No.24 UConn women's lacrosse team was edged out by No.3 James Madison on Saturday afternoon in a thrilling contest at the US Lacrosse Facility. The Huskies' comeback attempt in the second half, where they outscored JMU 10-5, just nearly missed sending the game into overtime.
It was a tale of two halves today in Maryland. The Dukes came out hot in the first quarter, scoring just 10 seconds into the game. The goal would start a run for JMU as they went up three goals in the first few minutes. The Huskies fought back with goals from Susan Lafountain, Rayea Davis, and Abby Charron, her first of the season, to tie up the game. The Dukes ended the first quarter with two more goals.
The second period saw JMU on the board for another five times, while the Huskies scored one from Davis. The game went into the half with the Dukes up 10-4 over the Huskies.
The Huskies started their comeback attempt in the second half, scoring first as a shot from Charron hit the back of the net. The UConn defense kept JMU off the board for just about three minutes of pay in the third quarter. Lafountain went back-to-back to notch herself a hat trick, with a JMU goal lodged in between hers, their only goal of the third period.
With the game on the line, the UConn offense was unleashed for the final period. Grad student, and new Husky, Jenna Giardia couldn't be stopped as she notched herself a hat trick, scoring three of UConn's seven in the fourth. Kate Shaffer joined the charge, scoring back-to-back goals, one on a free position attempt. Lafountain and Davis each had another goal for the Huskies. With the game at 15-14, a free position attempt for UConn was thwarted with a save from the Dukes, and the game would end just seconds later.
UConn controlled 20 draws to JMU's 12 in the loss, holding it down in the midfield for the duration of the game.
The Huskies will remain on the road as they travel to Philadelphia, Pa. to take on Saint Joseph's on Friday, February 23rd.
