James Madison University’s field hockey squad traveled to face No. 14 Liberty in a tightly contested overtime battle that ultimately ended 2-1 in favor of the Flames.
Liberty struck first in the fourth quarter when Julieta Tornati found the net at the 42nd minute, setting the stage for a back‑and‑forth finish that kept the crowd on edge.
Brynna Hill answered for the Dukes at the 47th minute, leveling the score and earning her ninth career goal, a milestone that had eluded her since the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Key Performances
Defensively, Lilly Sweeney was a pillar between the posts, making six saves that pushed her season total to 17 and preserved a .773 save percentage, while Mika Hilburger contributed two crucial stops to keep the Flames’ attack in check.
Puck Jansen, who had assisted the tying goal, added two shots of his own and recorded his first assist of the 2026 season, bringing his point tally to three.
Elena Giangaspero also contributed from the bench with two attempts, underscoring the depth of the JMU roster despite the loss.
The Dukes limited Liberty to just two goals over more than 70 minutes, the fewest they have conceded all season, a testament to their resilient defensive organization.
Looking ahead, JMU will travel to Durham, N.C., on Friday at 5 p.m. to take on No. 6 Duke, a matchup that could shape their postseason trajectory.