NASHVILLE, Tenn. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison lacrosse dominated all aspects of the game, defeating No.1 USF 17-7 in the 2026 American Conference Championship at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kaitlyn Carney and Brianna Mennella combined for 11 JMU goals (13-6, 7-1 American), scoring six and five, respectively. Payton Root contributed six points on a goal and five assists. Olivia Matthews logged a goal and a pair of assists.

Reese Cuviello led the defense, causing three turnovers and scooping four ground balls. Olivia Rongo contributed a pair of caused turnovers and a ground ball. Abigail Beattie received the start in goal, making five saves and playing all 60 minutes.

USF (12-5, 6-0 American) was led by Sofia Chepenik’s three goals and two assists. Natalie Eastwood played all 60 minutes in goal, making five saves.

How it Happened

First Quarter – James Madison 6, USF 3
• The Bulls took a 2-1 lead early; however, JMU scored five straight goals, including two with a woman-up, to take a 6-2 lead at the 2:24 mark.
• USF punched one in the final 30 seconds of the quarter to close the gap to three.

Second Quarter – James Madison 8, USF 4
• The Dukes reclaimed a four-goal lead on the heels of a Carney goal at the 13:18 mark.
• Following a response from the Bulls, Carney grabbed her second goal of the quarter and the game to send JMU to the locker room with a four-point advantage.

Third Quarter – James Madison 13, USF 5
• After the first four minutes of the half were scoreless, JMU netted three goals within a minute to grab an 11-4 lead at the 9:26 mark.
• JMU added two more and allowed a goal in the closing five minutes of the quarter to take an eight-goal lead heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter – James Madison 17, USF 7
• James Madison opened the quarter on a 3-0 scoring run to take an 11-point lead with 7:34 remaining.
• Despite adding two more in the final six minutes, James Madison held on to claim the American Conference title in back-to-back seasons.

Game Notes
• Mennella’s five goals are a career high
• Mennella claimed her 100th career point this afternoon.
• Root has tallied four or more points in 12 games this season.
• Jordan Peterson’s 43 goals this season lead the Dukes.

Up Next
James Madison will find out its postseason destination on Sunday, May 3, at 9 p.m. during the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Selection Show on ESPNU.

— JMU Athletics —