James Madison field hockey looks to finish strong this weekend as the Dukes close out their regular-season schedule with a neutral game against Iowa at American on Friday at 2 p.m. and a road game at conference opponent Northeastern on Sunday at 2 p.m.

SIZING UP THE CAA RACE

JMU, ranked 11^th in Tuesday’s Kookaburra/National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll, currently sits in second place in the Colonial Athletic Association, a half game behind Drexel and Delaware.  With seven conference games this weekend, six teams are still in the mix for four spots in the CAA Tournament. 

While several scenarios remain possibilities, JMU can clinch a spot in the field with a win at Northeastern but could be eliminated with a loss.  At least one scenario also exists where the Dukes can earn the top seed and the right to host the tournament.  The tournament field will be announced Sunday evening unless Northeastern defeats JMU.  The Huskies’ match Friday against VCU was postponed for health reasons related to the Rams and could affect seeding with a NU win over JMU.

CAA co-leaders #10 Drexel and #17 Delaware will take on Towson and Hofstra, respectively, before facing each other Sunday in their season finale at Rullo Stadium in Newark, Del.  Those games, along with Hofstra at Towson on Saturday and William and Mary at Old Dominion on Sunday, will be key to determining CAA seeding.

JMU LAST WEEKEND

The Dukes split their two games last weekend against conference-rivals William and Mary and Old Dominion.  On Friday, JMU defeated the Tribe 2-1 after two first-half goals from junior Dolores de Rooij.  Freshman Vivienne Konijnendijk assisted the second goal.  It was De Rooij’s third straight game-winning goal for the Dukes.  Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Cutchins added four saves and became JMU’s career record holder for minutes in goal with 5,266 minutes and 51 seconds.

On Sunday, ODU defeated JMU 2-1 off a penalty corner goal in the final six minutes.  The lone score for JMU came in the opening minutes of the second half from de Rooij and was assisted by Konijnendijk and sophomore Lindsey Cutchins.  De Rooij has scored seven of the team’s last nine goals to climb into a tie for first on the team in goals (11) and leads the team in points (24).  Konijnendijk pushed her own freshman assist record to 11 and senior Tara King added a defensive save. 

OPPONENTS

Iowa split its two matches last weekend moving them to 6-9 on the season.  On Friday, Iowa defeated Northwestern 1-0 in overtime.  It was the Hawkeyes’ second straight shutout over a conference opponent.  Senior Tricia Dean ended the game nearly eight minutes into the first overtime period on an assist from junior Sarah Pergine.  Dean leads the Hawkeyes in points with 20.  Senior Meghan Beamesderfer had two defensive saves and freshman Kathleen McGraw added nine saves in her second career shutout.

On Sunday, Iowa lost 2-0 to Louisville at Grant Field.  Iowa recorded more shots 14-10 and penalty corners 13-8, but was unable to beat Louisville goalkeeper Heather Bustanoby.  After meeting JMU on Friday in Washington, D.C., Iowa will close out its regular season at American on Saturday.

Northeastern lost both its matches last weekend dropping them to 9-8 overall.  The losses pushed the Huskies losing streak to four.

On Friday, the Huskies lost 4-2 at Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y.  Hofstra jumped out to a 3-0 first-half lead, but goals from freshman Nicole Graham and sophomore Kaela Barker cut the deficit to one with just under 30 minutes to play.  Despite outshooting the Pride 13-6 and recording more corners 10-1, the Huskies could not complete the comeback.  Barker added a defensive save in the loss. 

On Sunday, the Huskies lost 5-1 at #10 Drexel at Buckley Field.  The only bright spot came from sophomore Carolyn Malloy, who scored Northeastern’s lone goal in the final minutes to spoil the Dragons' bid for a shutout.  Sophomore Keelin Quinn added a defensive save.  Northeastern was outshot 22-3 and was bested in penalty corners 10-2.

Freshman Crystal Poland leads the Huskies in goals (12) and points (29).  Northeastern will face VCU on Friday before taking on JMU Sunday at Sweeney Field.

SERIES HISTORY

JMU and Iowa have met four times, the most recent in 1998.  The Hawkeyes lead the series 3-1, though the last Iowa win came in 1990 by a 3-0 score.  JMU won 4-2 in 1998 at home.

JMU leads the series against Northeastern 7-4 and has won all four meetings since the Huskies joined the CAA in 2005.  Last year, JMU won 5-0 in Harrisonburg to end the regular season.  Meghan Bain scored twice for the Dukes while Amy Daniel, Lauren Walls, and Dolores de Rooij also had scores.  JMU led in shots 23-2.

NOTE: Preview compiled by Sam Foster, JMU Sports Media Relations practicum student.