HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2011 -- James Madison sophomore Lauren Wilson's (Coatesville, Pa./Downingtown) long-range shot 3:17 into overtime lifted the Dukes (4-2-2, 1-0-0) to a 4-3 come-from-behind win at Hofstra (4-3-0, 0-1-0) in Colonial Athletic Association women’s soccer Friday evening.

In the season-opening league match for both teams, the Dukes trailed 3-1 before scoring twice in the final 11:26 of regulation.  Wilson also netted the tying goal, scoring with just 4:10 left to force overtime.

The game-winning score started with a pass from freshman Stephanie Hamilton (Coronado, Calif./Coronado) to Wilson on the right flank.  Hofstra goalkeeper Emily Morphitis came out to defend, and Wilson chipped the ball over Morphitis and into the net from about 27 yards away.

"For me that was, if not THE best, one of the best comebacks we've ever had," said JMU coach David Lombardo.  "We were not playing very well when Hofstra went ahead 3-1.  We made a couple of substitutions, and we began playing with a lot of energy and resolve.

"We got six or seven people involved in the four goals.  We were sharing the ball, and that's when we play our best."

In a re-match of last year's CAA title game, also won by the Dukes (2-0) on Hofstra's field, JMU scored its four goals on just 10 shots.  On Friday, Hofstra took more shots -- 12 -- than JMU, but Morphitus made just one save.  JMU redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kate Courter (Lincoln Park, N.J./Immaculate Heart) finished with four saves.

Hofstra was up 2-0 in the 39th minute after scoring back-to-back goals in less than a three-minute span.  Laura Green scored first, at 35:17, then Britt Farriella added the second at 38:02.

However, just before halftime the Dukes got on the scoreboard on a play that began with a long throw-in by sophomore Becky Sparks (Laurel Springs, N.J./Paul VI).  Senior Yolie Anderson-Golhor (Ottawa, Ontario/Louis-Riel) headed the ball to junior Amalya Clayton (Springfield, Va./West Springfield), who sent the ball into the goal.

A left-footed shot by Green from 23 yards out 12:00 into the second half put the Pride ahead 3-1.

After nearly 20 minutes of scoreless play after the Pride's third goal, the Dukes cut the lead to 3-2 when Sparks headed a corner kick by sophomore Sam Lofton (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) into the goal with 11:26 to play. 

Wilson then scored the tying goal, assisted by junior Katie Menzie (Chantilly, Va./Chantilly) and Clayton, to send the Dukes into their third overtime match of the year.

With the victory JMU ended a winless streak of three games (0-2-1) and also stopped a stretch of three matches, all against ranked opponents, in which the Dukes failed to score. 

Now it's on to Boston for JMU, which plays at Northeastern on Sunday (1 p.m.).  By the time the Dukes return to Harrisonburg on Monday, they will have traveled nearly 1,200 miles to face the two northernmost opponents in the CAA.

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