ATHENS, Ohio (JMU Athletics) – Four first-half goals guided James Madison field hockey (6-6, 5-1 MAC) to its fifth consecutive win as the Dukes dominated Ohio, 6-0, Friday afternoon at Pruitt Field.
The Dukes executed at a high level offensively, registering season highs in both shooting percentage (.667) and shots-on-goal percentage (.889). JMU was efficient on penalty corners, converting three of its five opportunities into goals. Six different Dukes found the back of the net, while Azul Covarrubias, Avery Ruckman, Brynna Hill and Diede Donders each tallied three points with a goal and an assist.
On the defensive end, Lilly Sweeney and Hannah Popolis combined to secure JMU’s first shutout of the season, limiting the Bobcats to nine shots, including four on goal. Sweeney picked up her sixth win of the year, while Popolis made four saves in the second half.
How It Happened
• The Dukes capitalized on their first penalty corner of the game when Covarrubias blasted a shot into the back of the net off assists from Ruckman and Hill in the third minute.
• Moments later, JMU connected from long range as Covarrubias sent a ball from near midfield into the shooting circle. Ruckman redirected the ball past Ohio’s backline for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
• JMU converted another penalty corner in the 11th minute as Hill knocked the ball across the goal line following a favorable bounce.
• Donders and Ella Dunstan combined for the Dukes’ third penalty corner goal of the game as Dunstan, a Sydney, Australia, native, fired a shot that was redirected into the cage by Donders. The goal marked the first of the Molenhoek, The Netherlands, native’s career.
• JMU added to its lead in the second half as Emma Smit scored her fifth goal of the season in the 49th minute before Lilly Turner found the back of the net in the 55th minute to cap the Dukes’ dominant performance.
Game Notes
• With Friday’s victory, JMU extended its winning streak to five games, dating to Sept. 27. During that span, the Dukes have defeated four conference opponents and outscored their foes 21-5.
• JMU improved to 7-0 all-time against Ohio, defeating the Bobcats by multiple goals for the sixth time in series history.
• The Dukes recorded their first shutout of 2026 and first since a 5-0 victory over Bellarmine on Oct. 19, 2025.
• Nine Dukes recorded at least one point in the contest, tying a season high set in JMU’s 6-1 victory over Longwood on Oct. 2.
• Ruckman extended her goal-scoring streak to six consecutive games Friday. The third-year forward leads JMU with seven goals and 17 points this season.
• Covarrubias continued her impressive stretch, scoring her fourth goal in as many games. Since Oct. 2, the fourth-year defender has totaled 10 points on four goals and two assists.
Up Next
JMU returns home for a quick turnaround as the Dukes host Central Michigan on Senior Day on Sunday at 1 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
