Hokies lose close contest to JMU

Graham's 12 saves not enough to prevent first loss of the season

February 15, 2017

	1	2	F
Radford (0-9)	4	1	5
Virginia Tech (3-5)	10	9	19
Thompson Field - 100 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG- The Virginia Tech lacrosse team fell to James Madison at Thompson Field Wednesday, by a score of 9-6. It was the Hokies’ first loss of the season, as they were unable to snap JMU’s winning streak in the series.

JMU scored the game’s first goal nearly six minutes into the game, marking the first time all season the Hokies had trailed. Virginia Tech answered back with a goal scored by Tristan McGinley, her club-leading 11th. The rest of the first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams playing strong defense. Despite being outshot 14-7, the Hokies went into the halftime interval tied 4-4.

Coming out of the half, Marissa Davey put the Hokies back in the lead with a goal with 21 minutes remaining. From there the Dukes were able to capitalize on man-up situations which ignited a four goal run. Four different Dukes found the net during the streak, which set them up to run out the clock on the game. Zan Biedenharn brought the Hokies to within one with her seventh goal of the season, but JMU answered through Margaret Tucker Fogarty and held on for the 9-6 victory. The result leaves Virginia Tech winless against JMU all-time in 15 meetings.

The game lacked any real rhythm due to constant whistles. In total there were 58 fouls and violations. Virginia Tech was charged with 40 of them and received four yellow cards which led to JMU’s man-up opportunity goals. The Hokies forced the Dukes into 20 turnovers and held them to just four out of nine on free position shots.

Meagh Graham kept the Hokies in the game making save after save to protect her goal. She recorded 12 saves on the afternoon, forced a turnover and grabbed six groundballs. As a team the Hokies cleared 18 of 22 chances, many of those starting with Graham.

“We made a little progress today, but we need to make more to take that next jump and we’re close,” said coach John Sung. “We have to learn how to win. Part of learning how to win is you have to take these really tough losses that sting and that will really help us get to that spot.”

The Hokies are back on the field Saturday for an ACC tilt against the Boston College Eagles. First draw is at 11:30 a.m. at the Indoor Practice Facility.

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