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	1	2	F
James Madison (1-1)	8	5	13
Virginia Tech (1-1)	1	7	8
Thompson Field - 174 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team dropped its home opener to the James Madison Dukes, 13-8, Thursday evening at Thompson Field. The Hokies tried to use a second-half comeback to shift the outcome, but were unable to overcome the difference. Megan Will again led the Hokies, this time scoring three goals and assisting another, while a trio of JMU players tallied hattricks.

The Dukes (1-1) went up four goals on Tech before the midway point in the first half, seeing goals from two of their top three scorers, Jaci Gordon and Stephanie Finley. The Hokies (1-1) eventually broke up the run by JMU with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, as Gracee Hendrix put away a pass from Jessi Thon inside the 8-meter.

The Hendrix score would be Tech’s only goal of the opening period, but the Dukes added four more, including two from Betsy Angel, before the break. With the 8-1 lead at the half, JMU also outshot the Hokies 16-7.

Play in the second half became much more balanced and Tech got to work early. Tristan McGinley was the first to strike as she went face-to-face with JMU’s goalie and put the ball away, over the top of her after the feed from Will.

The two teams went goal-for-goal until the midway point in the half when Gordon scored twice. Tech saw goals from Will, attacking on the left, and Thon, who went straight to cage off the draw for her first of the day.

A coast-to-coast goal for defender Meghan Macera sparked a three-goal run for the Hokies. Will added the final two scores, firing from outside the 8-meter and putting away a fast-break relay from Jack Boissonneault to make it 12-7 with 9:08 left in the game.

Hendrix added Tech’s final goal of day, on an open goal after JMU goalie Schylar Healy was called for a yellow card with 31.8 on the clock.

The Tech defense had its hands full the entire 60 minutes and shut down a number of opportunities for the Dukes. Defender Maddy Hess and goalie Meagh Graham were each credited with a pair of caused turnovers in the game, while Boissonneault, Macera and Kelsey Allen all added pressure and disrupted the Dukes’ attack.

Graham played the full 60 minutes in cage and made seven saves, while also grabbing five ground balls. Healy missed only the final 32 seconds for JMU and made 10 saves.

Despite getting outshot 20-23 in the game, the Hokies took the edge on draws 12-10. After committing seven first-half turnovers, Tech cleaned it up in the second and committed just one, while also forcing JMU into 11 for the game.

The Hokies remain at home this weekend as they return to action on Sunday, Feb. 15 to face No. 12 Ohio State at 1 p.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech lacrosse, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Lax