HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison lacrosse attacker Maddie Epke earned American Athletic Conference Attack Player of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday. It is her fourth weekly conference honor of the season.
This follows a 1-1 week for the Dukes, who played the final two games of a four-game homestand. JMU fell to then-#5 Hopkins before outscoring Charlotte in 12-3 in the second half to win 17-10 in its inaugural contest with the 49ers to remain undefeated in AAC play (3-0).
Epke continued her draw dominance in both outings, highlighted by setting a new league and JMU single-game record 23 wins in the circle, breaking her previous record of 20 set just two weeks ago against Vanderbilt on March 15. The 23 draws are just one shy of the NCAA single-game record of 24, set in 2015 by Robert Morris’ Jessica Karwacki against Howard. Epke has outdrawn opponents by herself in seven games, including against two teams in the top-ten NCAA RPI (Florida, Johns Hopkins).
She totaled 38 draws for the week to go along with eight goals, one assist, two ground balls, and one caused turnover. Currently, the native of Guilford, Conn. leads the nation in draw controls per game (12.82). She also became the JMU all-time leader in career draw controls earlier this season, passing Isabella Peterson’s 329. Epke also leads the Dukes this season in draw controls (141), goals (32), assists (12), and points (44).
#13 JMU will return to action on Wednesday, April 9 when it travels to the Nation’s Capital to play Georgetown. Opening draw is at 4:00 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —