PHILADELPHIA – Isabella Peterson figured in six of James Madison's 13 goals to lead top-seeded and No. 6-ranked Dukes past Cincinnati 13-7 Thursday in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship at Howarth Field.
 
James Madison (17-1) advances to face either Florida or East Carolina in Saturday’s championship final as the Dukes extended their winning streak to 17 games.
 
Peterson, the American Athletic Conference Attack Player of the Year who entered the game with a league-leading 70 goals, had four goals and two assists Thursday, helping the Dukes inch away from what had been a 7-5 game at halftime.
 
Peterson fed Maddie Epke for the only goal of the third quarter to give the Dukes an 8-5 lead after 45 minutes before Peterson scored back-to-back goals early in the fourth to break the game open at 10-5.
 
The James Madison defense, which held its 15th opponent of the season to single-digit scoring, allowed only two goals after the first quarter. The Dukes came up with a key defensive stand to close the third period as a yellow card with 2:33 left in the quarter gave Cincinnati a woman-up situation. The Bearcats had four free position opportunities in that stretch, but were unable to solve the JMU defense.
 
JMU's defensive performance came after Cincinnati had scored the first two goals of the game and appeared poised to go into the first quarter break tied at 3-3. But Peterson's first goal of the game came with five seconds left in the quarter, giving the Dukes a lead they would not relinquish.
 
Peterson led all scorers with her six-point game as she improved her season totals to an American Athletic Conference-leading 74 goals and 94 points while adding a game-high six draw controls. Tai Jankowski and Taylor Marchetti had two goals each. Goalie Kat Buchanan made five saves for the Dukes.
 
Cincinnati (11-7) was led by midfielder Ava Goeller, who had three goals with an assist, while Lauren Ottensmeyer had two goals. Bearcats goalie Ashley Lapp made eight saves.