The Virginia Tech lacrosse team (0-3, 0-1 ACC) fell to the James Madison Dukes 14-9 on Saturday afternoon at Thompson Field.
"I think it's still a work-in-process right now, we're a young team," said sophomore and leading scorer Allie Emala. "I think today was 10-times better than how we did the first two games and I think seeing the change of momentum and that we can go full speed to goal on fast breaks is great within our third game."
The Dukes came out on top early, scoring first. But the Hokies soon retaliated, keeping it close early.
One of Tech's main problems was getting the ball out of the defense. The Dukes controlled the tempo and kept the ball on the attack for the majority of the game.
"We just have to start the game with intensity," said junior defender Jacquelyn Duggins. "When they score a goal, that's the time when you just have to go and pick each other up. The best teams in the world get scored on and we just have to rebound back and encourage each other."
Turnovers and miscommunication plagued the Hokies throughout the game.
"I think ball control is key," Emala said. "I think we need to continue to work on it and talk more in the midfield - just to see who has the ball because sometimes we'll be so close to getting the draw and then we'll have a miscommunication. We just need to fix a few things there and I think it will be alright."
Freshman Ryan Rotan scored with less than 15 seconds left to close out the first half down 7-4
One of Tech's two seniors, Rachel Culp, came out strong for Tech, scoring just 41 seconds into the second half and cutting the deficit to two.
Unfortunately, the Hokies' momentum quickly swung back to JMU, who subsequently went on a 7-1 run.
"There are a ton of freshmen and they're getting experience, but we can't say that anymore - we can't blame it on new girls," Duggins said. "We've been practicing since September and we should have it down pact. It's just mental, I don't think it's because we haven't played together, we just all have to come out with intensity from start to finish."
With the Duke comfortably ahead, Tech still did close out the game with a 3-0 run of their own.
"The last 15 minutes of this game, we played like we play in practice," Duggins said. "We need to play like that start to finish and we need to play the hardest lacrosse that we have ever played."
Ending the game with some momentum, even though it still ended in a loss, may ultimately be a good sign for the Hokies.
"It gives us confidence that it can happen and that it's going to come," Emala said. "We just have to be patient and keep working hard in practice each day."
The Hokies will face William & Mary in Williamsburg on Wednesday at 6 p.m.