Three Dukes achieved new career highs contributed to sending James Madison lacrosse to the Colonial Athletic Association Championship finals, following its victory over Delaware, 17-5, on Friday evening at Sentara Park. After their first postseason triumph, the Dukes improved to 17-1 overall on the season, posting a 6-0 mark in the league. The Blue Hens fell to 8-10 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Dukes are ranked No. 1 in the championship, while the Blue Hens were the No. 4 seed. Senior Kristen Gaudian opened scoring less than a minute into play, sealing JMU's lead for the entirety of the game. Ten different Dukes netted goals during the semifinal - Gaudian (5), senior Morgan Hardt (3) and junior Hanna Haven (2) each put up multiple points. Gaudian went a perfect five goals on five shots while Hardt's three-goal showing matched the career high that she achieved for the first time at High Point (Feb. 24) earlier this season. Coming out strong on a defensive front, junior Caroline Sdanowich produced five caused turnovers for a new career high, and senior Rebecca Tooker had the same to match her career high. Sdanowich and senior Haley Warden registered four ground balls apiece, Tooker added three to the cause and sophomore Emma Johnson and senior Corinne Schmidt each tallied two. Sophomore Maddie McDaniel led the game with six draw controls, breaking her previous career high of three. Between the pipes, freshman Molly Dougherty kept her record unblemished, 9-0, after five saves to ward off Delaware. Dougherty only allowed one Delaware goal in the first half, sending the Blue Hens into the break with an eight-goal deficit. Junior goalie Ellie Harmeyer picked up a save of her own, slating 5:31 minutes in the game. The Dukes outshot the Blue Hens 33-17, recorded 16 draw controls to the Blue Hens' eight and edged Delaware in ground balls (23-21). Each team had six second-half turnovers with JMU turning the ball over 20 times, while Delaware had 23 turnovers. UP NEXT The Dukes look to take the CAA title on Sunday, battling either the No. 3 seed Elon Phoenix or the No. 2 seeded Towson Tigers at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on Lacrosse Sports Network.