IRVING, Texas – James Madison goalie Kat Buchanan has taken national honors as the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Association Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Buchanan, a redshirt senior, totaled an impressive 21 saves on a .568 save percentage for the week while tabbing an 8.0 goals-against average across a pair of wins.
 
In a key victory over No. 12 Virginia on Wednesday, Buchanan made a career-high 11 saves, stopping 60.0% of the Cavaliers' shots on goal. She made nine saves in the second half alone to keep JMU within striking distance, as the Dukes scored five of the game's final six goals for a thrilling 10-8 victory.
 
Against Temple on Saturday, Buchanan made nine more saves, stopping 52.9% of the Owls' attempts on goal in a 10-8 victory. She stopped six of seven shots in the first half and the one goal allowed tied her season and career best for fewest goals allowed in a full half, previously set at Virginia Tech on Feb. 15. Buchanan also picked up a pair of ground balls on Saturday.
 
Her play in the cage allowed for JMU's fifth-ranked scoring defense to give up just 8.0 goals per game during the week. Virginia scored its fewest goals in a game this season while Temple represented the ninth opponent JMU has held to single-digit goals in 2023.
 
Individually, Buchanan ranks sixth in the nation with an 8.07 goals-against average and 29th with a .475 save percentage. The Milton, Mass. native has stopped at least 50% of opposing shots on goal in eight games this year.
 
Buchanan received the IWLCA Defensive Player of the Week honor for the second time this season, also receiving the honor on March 7. She also took Goalkeeper of the Week honors from the American Athletic Conference on Monday for the second time this season.
 
The Dukes have won 10 straight games with four coming against ranked opponents to surge to the No. 5 ranking in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division I Poll as of Monday. JMU is back in action on Saturday, April 1 at noon against Old Dominion.