HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – An explosive second half for James Madison lacrosse propelled it past Vanderbilt, 14-9, in American Conference play at Sentara Park on Saturday afternoon.
JMU (10-6, 4-1 American) outscored the Commodores 8-3 in the final two quarters of play. Olivia Matthews and Jordan Peterson led the JMU attack with three goals and two assists each. Payton Root contributed four points by way of a pair of goals and assists.
Olivia Rongo led the defense with four caused turnovers and two ground balls. Jolie Schiavo added a career-high two caused turnovers and three ground balls. Abigail Beattie got the start and spent all 60 minutes in the cage, making eight saves.
Vanderbilt (8-8, 3-2 American) was led by Bailey Lower’s three goals and an assist. Emme Martin started at goalkeeper, making 12 saves on 26 shots faced.
How it Happened
First Quarter – James Madison 4, Vanderbilt 2
• The Dukes jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a score from Matthews before a free position opportunity allowed the Commodores to tie the contest at one at the 11:19 mark.
• JMU embarked on a 3-0 run over the next 11 minutes until a free position goal from Vanderbilt made it a 4-2 game at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter – James Madison 6, Vanderbilt 6
• Vanderbilt outscored the Dukes 3-1 in the first half of the quarter, tying the game at 5-5 with 8:11 to play in the half.
• After James Madison broke the tie less than two minutes later with a goal from Matthews, Vanderbilt converted on a free position chance to send the teams to the locker rooms tied.
Third Quarter – James Madison 11, Vanderbilt 7
• The Commodores secured their first lead of the game at the 11:49 mark, going ahead 7-6 on a Shea Panzik goal.
• The Dukes controlled the rest of the quarter, outscoring Vandy 5-0 with three goals from Maya Antonakas to take an 11-7 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter – James Madison 14, Vanderbilt 9
• Two Commodore goals to JMU’s one cut Vanderbilt’s deficit to three at the 7:19 mark.
• The Dukes held Vanderbilt scoreless the rest of the way, adding two more of their own to grab the victory.
Game Notes
• With a win today, the Dukes have clinched a spot in the 2026 American Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship.
• With 52 caused turnovers this season, Olivia Rongo has tied the program’s single-season caused turnovers record set by Mairead Durkin in 2022.
• Antonakas’s three goals are a career high.
• With hat tricks today, Peterson and Matthews each have six on the season.
• Peterson’s two assists are a career high.
Up Next
The Dukes will head to Norfolk next Saturday, April 25, to take on Old Dominion in an American Conference contest. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
