Dominant Display by Maddie Epke

In a remarkable performance, Maddie Epke led James Madison to an 18-9 victory over South Florida, securing the team’s first-ever American Athletic Conference (AAC) women’s lacrosse title on Saturday. Epke tied the tournament’s single-game record by scoring six goals and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the championship.

Tournament Highlights

Throughout the tournament, Epke showcased her skills, netting a total of nine goals—three in the semifinals and the six in the final match. Moreover, she excelled at the draw control, setting a tournament record with 23 draw controls across the two games.

Game Overview

The Dukes wasted no time, scoring their first goal just 28 seconds into the match. They maintained control throughout, never trailing in the game. James Madison entered halftime with a solid 10-5 lead, largely thanks to Epke’s five first-half goals.

South Florida, finishing its first season as a varsity Division I program, made a strong start to the second half, closing the gap to three goals after two quick scores. Nevertheless, Epke responded by igniting a four-goal surge for James Madison that solidified their lead.

Defensive Efforts

The Dukes’ defense held strong, with goalie Adanya Moyer making key saves, including five in the last quarter, to ensure the lead remained insurmountable for South Florida. The Bulls’ efforts were led by Maggie Newton, who scored four goals, but ultimately they could not close the gap.

All-Tournament Honors

Epke was joined on the all-tournament team by her fellow Dukes, including Brianna Mennella, who contributed a hat trick in the final. Others recognized included goalie Adanya Moyer and key players Savannah Derey, Olivia Matthews, and defenders Reese Cuviello and Maddie Weybrecht.

South Florida also garnered recognition, with athletes like Newton, Kali Cleary, Bailey Morris, and Kaitlyn Tartaglione joining the all-tournament team.

Looking Ahead

This victory not only marks a historic achievement for James Madison but also secures them an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, making it their tenth consecutive appearance in the national tournament.