HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – A game-tying goal by Brynna Hill in the fourth quarter helped James Madison field hockey (0-3) push No. 14 Liberty (3-1) to the limit Sunday afternoon as the Dukes conceded an overtime score to the Lady Flames and fell 2-1 at the JMU Field Hockey Complex.
Despite the Dukes being out-numbered in shots 19-8 and penalty corners 12-6, JMU held strong on the backline by thwarting away numerous Liberty attacks. Lilly Sweeney registered six saves in goal while Mika Hilburger notched a pair of defensive saves to highlight the Dukes’ stellar defensive efforts. In addition to Hill’s 47th minute score, the Dukes were led offensively by Puck Jansen, who registered a pair of shots with an assist, and Elena Giangaspero’s two shots off the bench.
How It Happened
• Liberty started in attack mode early, pressuring the Dukes defense in the fourth minute of play. Luckily, Sweeney held tough in goal for JMU, recording her first save on the Lady Flames’ second penalty corner chance of the afternoon.
• After a scoreless first half, Liberty broke the ice in the 42nd minute. Julieta Tornati put the ball in the back of the net to give the 14th-ranked Lady Flames a one score advantage.
• Early in the fourth quarter, JMU ramped up the urgency and drew a Liberty foul in the circle. The Dukes’ second penalty corner of the match proved to be fruitful as Jansen fed Hill at the far-left post and the Downingtown, Pa. native buried the equalizing goal.
• In a competitive overtime period, Liberty found the game-winning score as Josefina Tomasi came away with a goal in the 71st minute.
Game Notes
• The Dukes held No. 14 Liberty to a tie for their season-low in goals, only yielding a pair of scores to the Lady Flames in over 70 minutes of action.
• Hill registered her ninth career goal and first since JMU’s 4-1 win over Central Michigan in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals last season.
• Jansen earned her first career assist of the 2026 season, bringing her point total up to three through just as many games. The second-year defender is two points away from surpassing her 2025 total of four points early into the 2026 campaign.
• Sweeney’s six saves elevates her season total to 17, the eighth highest mark in the MAC. Through three starts, Sweeney has managed a .773 save percentage, the second highest mark in the MAC in 2026.
Up Next
James Madison travels to Durham, N.C. to take on No. 6 Duke on Friday at 5 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
