Hempstead, N.Y. – Junior midfielder Jeannine Molleda scored her first goal of the season and was a force in the attacking zone, but James Madison scored three unanswered goals as Hofstra lost, 3-1, in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup on Friday night at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Ashley Herndon assisted on the tying goal and scored the eventual game-winner while Kelly Kerrigan netted the insurance marker for JMU. Hofstra fell to 6-6 overall and 1-2 in league play while the Dukes improved to 7-5 and 2-0.
Molleda gave Hofstra an early boost with a sixth-minute goal that sparked the crowd of 324. Senior Amber Stobbs delivered a right-wing cross right to Molleda, who finished near the left post for her first goal of the season. Molleda, who has seen an expanded role with the injury to Jill Mulholland, scored her first goal since Oct. 27, 2013, which also came against the Dukes at home.
JMU tied the score in the 30th minute when Kelly Abt's shot hit the top of the crossbar and bounced in. Abt's first goal of the season also marked the first of Herndon's three total points in the game.
The Dukes held a slight 8-7 advantage in shots heading into halftime tied. But the Dukes controlled play in the second half with an 8-2 shot edge. Herndon put JMU ahead for good with a 51st-minute goal of Katie Hyland's cross. Herndon has three goals.
Kerrigan capitalized off a misplay in front of the Hofstra goal for the insurance marker at 68:11. Kerrigan's second goal of the season was enough support for goalkeeper Ellen Forrest, who made three saves. Hofstra sophomore and counterpart Friederike Mehring made four saves.
Before the game, Hofstra Head Coach Simon Riddiough was presented with a commemorative ball for his 100th career win in a victory versus Saint Joseph's on Aug. 31.
The teams have played in the last two CAA Tournament semifinals with Hofstra coming ahead on a penalty kick shootout in 2012 and JMU winning in 2013.
Hofstra will resume Colonial Athletic Association play on Sunday with a 1 p.m. home game versus Towson.
