US Lacrosse Magazine released the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20 on Jan. 8. Team-by-team previews will be unveiled on uslaxmagazine.com throughout January and will also appear as part of the magazine’s NCAA preview edition that mails to US Lacrosse members Feb. 1 — opening day of the 2018 college lacrosse season.

No. 17 James Madison

2017 Record: 14-7 (5-1 CAA)
Coach: Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe (12th year)

All-Time Record: 429-300-3
NCAA Appearances: 14
Final Fours: 1
Championships: 0

Midfielder Halle Duenkel made a significant impact as a freshman on the field for the Dukes last year. She played in all 21 games, contributing at both ends of the field, including two goals in her collegiate debut against North Carolina.

But making a difference is nothing new for the Great Falls, Va., native, who was the co-founder of her own non-profit three years before she ever arrived at James Madison. Duenkel continues to serves as director of Compassion in Actions, a faith-based organization aimed at providing economic empowerment to disadvantaged individuals.

The organization’s mission is to use technology and a network of volunteers to provide food, jobs and housing to those in need. Last spring, in recognition of Duenkel’s ongoing efforts, she earned JMU’s Bruce Crawford Morrison Rummel Scholarship, awarded to those making a difference in human rights and the advancement of women. She was the first freshman recipient in the award’s history.

“She is a huge difference-maker,” said head coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe.

Duenkel was a US Lacrosse All-American as a senior at Langley High School and a two-time US Lacrosse All-Academic Team honoree. She finished as her high school’s all-time point scoring leader, earning first team All-State honors and second team All-Met recognition from The Washington Post as a senior.

This past fall, Duenkel also became the team’s community service chairperson, helping to coordinate activities and involvement opportunities for her teammates. The Dukes took part in five service projects during the fall semester, ranging from a Halloween event for local special needs kids to a sporting goods equipment donation drive for the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Harrisonburg.

“We didn’t realize how big the need was so close to our own campus,” Duenkel said.

With Duenkel spearheading efforts, the Dukes amassed over 320 community service hours during the fall semester. Having caught Duenkel’s passion, many of her teammates now commit to service projects independent of the team’s organized events.

“We all realize that even one person and one hour can make an impact,” Duenkel said. “Once you know somebody has a need, it’s pretty important to help.”

One of the side benefits of the organized volunteer efforts is the chance for the Dukes to pull together off the field. Klaes-Bawcombe and the assistant coaches also get involved.

“The outreach draws our team closer together, and our coaches are very supportive,” Duenkel said. “Ultimately, we hope it’s making us better women and better citizens.”

The Case For James Madison

There’s a lot of returning talent from a team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year. Six of the team’s top eight scorers are back, along with four starting defenders —  Emma Johnson, Corinne Schmidt, Rebecca Tooker, and Caroline Sdanowich — who helped the Dukes finish 10th nationally in scoring defense. The 2017 CAA Player of the Year Haley Warden is joined by Hanna Haven and Elena Romesburg on midfield, while Katie Kerrigan and Kristen Gaudian lead the attack. 

The Case Against James Madison

The only real question mark for the Dukes heading into 2018 is in goal. Junior Ellie Harmeyer, who started 14 games as a freshman and made the CAA’s All-Rookie Team in 2016, is likely to regain her starting role after serving as the backup last year. Harmeyer posted a 49.0 save percentage in limited duty in 2017, including game action against Maryland, Virginia and Penn State. At the same time, as a player who also contends with epilepsy, Harmeyer helps to inspire her teammates and could serve as a catalyst for a successful campaign.

Path to the Playoffs

Traditionally, JMU’s strong out-of-conference schedule has prepared the Dukes well for CAA play and 2018 should be no different, with five games against preseason Top 20 foes. JMU has not lost more than one regular season CAA game since 2010, finishing either first or second in the league race in each of the last eight seasons. Barometer games against No. 1 Maryland, No. 3 North Carolina and No. 4 Penn State in February and March should have the Dukes battle-tested by the time the CAA schedule begins.

Players To Watch

Haley Warden, M, Sr.
69 DC, 52 GB

Warden is the reigning CAA Player of the Year and was a third team All-American in 2017. In addition to scoring 28 goals last year, she set the single-season school record for caused turnovers (47) while matching the JMU mark for draw controls.

Kristen Gaudian, A, Sr.
53 G, 7 A

Gaudian was JMU’s leading goal scorer last year and ranked third in the CAA in free-position goals (17), tying the school’s single-season record. She posted the sixth highest single-season goal total in team history.

Katie Kerrigan, A, Sr.
19 G, 44 A

She earned second team All-CAA honors with a breakthrough 2017 season that yielded the second highest single-season assist total in team history. Kerrigan had at least three assists in eight games, including four against Maryland, and two or more in 14 contests.

National Rankings

Power Ratings (Scale of 1-5)

Offense
⭐⭐⭐

Defense
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goalkeeping
⭐⭐⭐

Draw
⭐⭐⭐

3

The Dukes have made three straight NCAA tournament appearances, the longest such streak in coach Klaes-Bawcombe’s tenure and the second-longest NCAA streak in program history. As CAA champion in 2015 and 2017, the Dukes claimed the league’s automatic berth for the tournament. In 2016, JMU earned the program’s first at-large invitation.

5-Year Trend
Scoring Defense 

Coach Confidential
Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe

“This team is on a mission and has a bit of a chip on its shoulder. But it’s also a really fun group, and sometimes, when you have a fun group, great things can happen.”

Enemy Lines
Rival Coaches

"Have talent and confidence returning. ... Hungry and confident. ... Aggressive and determined athletes. They are always ready to give you a fight, and this team seems poised to have a big year in 2018. ... Tough and physical dodgers on the offensive end. ... Scoring goals will not be a problem. Can they defend? ... Their goalie transferred to Jacksonville, but JMU returns a lot, especially on offense. This will be one of their best years."