HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – Mia Julian connected with Alice Roeper buried a shot from the top of the circle on a penalty corner for the walk-off winner halfway through the second overtime to overcome American, 3-2, on Friday night in non-conference field hockey action at the JMU Field Hockey Complex.

JMU (2-0) trailed 2-1 late in the fourth quarter before the Dukes cashed in on another penalty corner situation, this time with Julian finding the back of the net on a redirected shot from Roeper with 2:17 remaining.

Julian and Roeper finished with one goal and one assist, while freshman Madelief Molier notched her first collegiate goal. Fifth-year Carissa Tambroni and junior Cassidy Strittmatter each added an assist in the win.

Redshirt freshman Molly Schreiner goalkeeper picked up her second career win and sits at 2-0 after stopping five shots in over 74 minutes of play.

For American (0-3), Jordan Reicher led the way with one goal and one assist. Sophie Willemse (one goal) and Emilia Winkler (one assist) aided the Eagles’ offense. Netminder Bryn Underwood made eight saves in the loss, including five in the second quarter.

Quoting Head Coach Christy Morgan
“It was a hard-fought game. It wasn’t always pretty on both sides of the ball, but it was a gritty, valiant effort. To go into overtime and be down two people because of aggressive play – I think it was beautiful to finish. Once we got our full group in, we were able to finish. I’m really happy with where we are right now, but we have a lot to fix for Sunday.”

How It Happened
• Molier struck first with a cross in front from Strittmatter to make it 1-0 at 14:37 in the second quarter.
• Less than two minutes later, Reicher stickhandled around Schreiner to even the score at 1-1.
• American took the lead on a penalty corner as Reicher’s shot went off the post and in less than a minute into the second half.
• After nearly 27 minutes of scoreless play, Julian knocked home her first goal of the season with a deflection off a Roeper shot to send the game to overtime.
• The Dukes survived the first overtime, turning away the Eagles’ lone corner of the extra time.
• JMU earned a penalty corner halfway through the second overtime period, which the Dukes executed with a rocket from Roeper to the bottom left corner.

Game Notes
• JMU leads the all-time series over American, 24-13.
• The Dukes’ win was their first in overtime since a 2-1 triumph over Northeastern in the CAA semifinals on Nov. 5, 2021.
• James Madison begins the season 2-0 for the first time since 2022.
• A Duke has scored their first collegiate goal in back-to-back games. Tambroni registered a goal against Villanova (Aug. 30), while Molier produced her first against the Eagles.

Up Next
The Dukes will wrap up the weekend with a meeting against Monmouth on Sunday, Sept. 8. Action at the JMU Field Hockey Complex is slated for noon

— JMU Athletics —