Haley Warden
  • Computer Information Systems (CIS)
  • Class of 2018
  • Glen Mills, PA

JMU Lacrosse Advances to 2017 NCAA Championship, Draws Louisville in First Round

2017 May 24

Fresh off winning its 10th Colonial Athletic Association title, James Madison found out Sunday night it will face Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship on Friday in University Park, Pa.

The Dukes enter the NCAA postseason with a 13-6 overall record, while the Cardinals come in at 11-7. Friday's winner will face fourth-seeded Penn State, which is 15-3 on the year, on Sunday in the second round. Game times will be determined later.

Earlier Sunday, the Dukes beat Elon 15-7 to win the CAA title, while Louisville fell 13-12 in overtime to Virginia in the the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship quarterfinals on April 27.

"Louisville is just like teams in the CAA; they're physical, they play hard and with grit and we are really prepared to play a team like this," Head Coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe said. "I'm really excited for the depth that we have in our program and the level of play we have right now. Consistency is so key. The Cards have a great goaltender and I'm excited how the CAA has set us up to face talent in the cage. It's going to be a great opportunity for this JMU program."

DUKES IN THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
JMU is making its 14th appearance in the NCAA Championship, holding a record of 7-13. The Dukes last won a NCAA game in 2010 when they advanced to the quarterfinals. This is the second time JMU has been sent to Penn State for the NCAA Championship, and the first since 1995 when the Dukes made their first appearance in the tournament.

FIRST-TIME OPPONENT, FAMILIAR FACE AT THE HELM
JMU and Louisville will meet for the first time on Friday. Though this is the first meeting between the teams, Cardinals' Head Coach Kellie Young was JMU's head coach from 2002-06, leading the Dukes to three CAA tournament titles, three NCAA appearances and a 59-34 record.

CAA TRIO GOING DANCING
CAA champion JMU will be joined by Towson and Elon in the NCAA Championship, as both conference foes received at-large bids. It is the fourth time in league history it has sent three teams to the tournament and the first since 2001.