JMU field hockey wins season opener with Kent State, 4-3

Junior midfielder Saskia Chelmowski (Berlin, Germany/Gustav-Heinemann Oberschule) tallied a pair of solo goals to lead JMU field hockey to a 4-3 victory at Kent State in the 2014 season opener on Saturday.

Chelmowski’s goals to bridge the halves proved to be the difference in the game. With 2:21 remaining in the first half, Chelmowski was able to fire in a shot past Andrea Rinehart to push the Dukes to a 3-1 lead. Coming out of halftime, she scored again with 31:19 to play, giving JMU a 4-1 advantage over Kent State. The Golden Flashes scored twice over the final ten minutes of play, but the Dukes defense held and preserved the victory.

JMU outshot Kent State 22-9 and held a 13-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Dukes earned nine corners to the Golden Flashes’ seven.

Kent State struck first as Alexis Madeira picked up a rebound and fired it in for the goal in the 18th minute, giving the Golden Flashes a 1-0 lead.  Junior back Loes Stijntjes (Steenokkerzeel, Belgium/Heilig Hartcollege), however, tied the game at 1-1 in the 25th minutes as she scored off a corner from junior midfielder Adrienne le Vatte (Port Elizabeth, South Africa/Alexander Road) and senior back Dana Allaband (Elkton, Md./Rising Sun).

Sophomore forward Shelby Grande (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary’s) posted the second of four straight goals for JMU when she scored less than six minutes later, earning JMU its first lead of the day at 2-1.

Senior goalkeeper Hannah George (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) earned the win in goal, allowing just one goal over 35 minutes of play, while Andrea Rinehart tallied the loss for Kent State after allowing four goals and committing eight saves over 70 minutes of play.  Freshman goalkeeper Sara Kraeutler (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) also saw time in goal and allowed two goals over 35 minutes.

George and Kraeutler combined with the JMU defense to hold the Golden Flashes scoreless for 43:06 between their first and second goals.

The Dukes return to the JMU Field Hockey Complex for their home opener on Friday, Sept.  5 as they take on Longwood at7 p.m.