Road Swing Continues at James Madison (Sept. 16)

Friday, September 16

Harrisonburg, VA

6 PM

University of New Hampshire

James Madison University

9/15/2016 5:18:00 PM | Field Hockey

Live Stats

UNH (2-4, 0-0 America East) at James Madison University (3-2, 0-0 MAC)
Friday, Sept. 16 • 6 p.m. • JMU Field Hockey Complex
Live Stats

UNH vs. James Madison: New Hampshire has a 2-1 lifetime record against JMU, but these programs have not faced off since the 1997 season – the Dukes won that meeting in Harrisonburg by a score of 5-0. Both UNH victories were at a neutral site – a 2-0 win at Boston College in 1989 and another 2-0 victory in '92 at Virginia.

State of New Hampshire: UNH, led by 26^th-year head coach Robin Balducci, has a 2-4 overall record that includes 0-2 on the road. Last weekend, the Wildcats traveled west and returned home following losses to Miami (4-0) and Indiana (5-3). Through six games, UNH has a pattern of one win followed by two losses. New Hampshire is averaging 1.96 goals per game on 17.2 shots per game. The opposition has recorded 3.00 goals and 12.7 shots per game.

Statistical Edge: UNH has recorded more shots than the opponent in five of six games; the Wildcats also have the edge in penalty corners in the same five games. The only team to get the better of the 'Cats this season was Boston University (17-10 shots; 6-3 corners). UNH has tallied a season-high 21 shots three times and double digits in corners each of the last four games, including a season-high 15 at Indiana.

On The Cusp: Senior forward Lindsey Nerbonne is on the cusp of entering the program's top 10 in career goals. Nerbonne has scored 32 goals as a Wildcat, which places her in a tie for 11^th with Liz Brickley (1987-90). Ahead of them in a tie for No. 9 is Marcie Boyer (1999-2002) and Pauline Collins (1983-86) with 33.

Dynamic Duo: UNH's dynamic duo of senior forward Lindsey Nerbonne and junior midfielder Ashley Mendonca has scored 11 of UNH's 12 goals this season. Nerbonne began the season with a four-game goal streak and made it a goal in 5 of 6 with another tally last Sunday at Indiana. Mendonca had a three-game goal streak (vs. Boston U., Drexel, Harvard) and struck again at Indiana.

Breakout Year: In her first two years as a Wildcat, Ashley Mendonca compiled two goals and five assists for nine points; in just six games this season, Mendonca has five goals for 10 points.

There to Assist: Junior midfielder Gianna Bensaia has a team-high six assists this season – that number is almost half the team's total (14). Bensaia had recorded three assists in 39 games in her first two years as a 'Cat.

Career Firsts: Freshman Tiana Morin recorded her first collegiate points with a goal last Sunday at Indiana University. Classmate Kayla Sliz tallied her first career point with an assist. Freshman goalkeeper Madelyn McAteer made her collegiate debut at IU; she played the final 11:42 and stopped 1 of 2 shots on goal.

Save Me: Junior back Aggie Sutherland was credited with a defensive save at Indiana University. It marked the first of her career and the first by a Wildcat since Oct. 3, 2014 (Ashley Mendonca at Fairfield); furthermore, it's the first defensive save by a 'Cat not named Mendonca since the 2013 season.

OT is OK: New Hampshire is 2-0 in overtime this year with 2-1 home wins against both UMass and Harvard. UNH has won each of the last six games that have been decided by overtime. The Wildcats won both OT games a year ago by a score of 4-3 – at UMass Lowell (Oct. 30) and earlier in 2015 vs. UMass (at Boston U.). Back in 2014, UNH prevailed in OT at Maine (3-2; Oct. 31) and at Harvard (1-0; Oct. 19). The last time the 'Cats lost a game decided beyond the 70 minutes of regulation was Sept. 26, 2014 vs. Miami (3-2).

Scouting the Dukes: James Madison (Harrisonburg, Va.) is returning back home after losing two games on the road – against American University (2-1) and second-ranked Duke University (7-1). The Dukes have won all three home contests and lost both road contests this season. Sophomore Miranda Rigg leads the team in goals (four), points (eight), and shots (21) despite having a starting position in only two of five games. Junior Hannah Hall also has eight points with three goals and two assists, as well as 10 shots; sophomore Melissa Wilken has a team-high three assists and two goals for seven points. Junior goalkeeper Sara Kraeutler has a 2.81 GAA and .611 save percentage by stopping 22 of 26 shots on goal. JMU is averaging 3.20 goals, 15.8 shots and 4.6 corners per game. The opposition is at 2.80 goals, 11.8 shots and 5.2 corners.