WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Junior Caroline Troncelliti scored two goals, including the game-winner 56 seconds into the first overtime as No. 13 Northwestern got back on the winning track with a 2-1 win over No. 20 James Madison Sunday morning.
"We got a well-deserved win today in a hard-fought battle," Northwestern head coach Tracey Fuchs said. "We played a very good second half and are looking forward to opening our Big Ten season next week at home."
The Wildcats entered the contest on the heels of a pair of difficult 1-0 losses to No. 15 Louisville and No. 10 Wake Forest in which NU played well but wasn't able to finish its scoring chances.
Northwestern's struggles continued in the first half on Sunday against the previously undefeated Dukes. However, the Wildcats' defense continued to be stellar. After JMU recorded two shots in the first 3:24 of the match, the 'Cats allowed their opponents to get off only one more shot the remainder of the half and that came off a penalty corner.
Meanwhile, Northwestern got off five first-half shots and put three on goal, but JMU goalie Hannah George was up to the task each time.
NU came out the aggressor to begin the second half and dominated the action, earning four penalty corners in the first 10 minutes of the stanza. The 'Cats were unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunities, though, as the match remained scoreless.
Troncelliti had a great chance 12 minutes into the period, but her shot banged off the post. Northwestern's efforts finally paid off at 61:44 as Troncelliti took a feed from Isabel Flens on the right side of the circle and finished past George from six yards out to put the 'Cats on the board.
The one-goal advantage seemed as though it would be enough, as well as the NU defense was playing. Following the two shots early in the contest by the Dukes, the Wildcats limited JMU to only one shot over a remarkable span of 63:26 seconds.
Facing the one-goal deficit, James Madison mounted a late charge as it earned three penalty corners in the closing minutes. The third one proved to be a charm as Loes Stijntjes scored her seventh goal of the season with just 1:19 remaining in regulation to tie the match, 1-1, and denying Northwestern victory for the time being.
The 'Cats were able to regroup, however, as the match headed to overtime. It took NU just 56 minutes to get back on the winning track. Flens and Troncelliti teamed up for the second time in the match as Troncelliti was waiting at the goalline to put home the winner off Flens' pass from the right side. The tally was Troncelliti's fifth of the season
Northwestern finished the match with a 15-6 advantage in shots with each team earning six penalty corners.
The Wildcats return to action at 11 a.m. Saturday as they take on Big Ten newcomer and third-ranked Maryland at Lakeside Field.