Dukes Hold Pirates Scoreless In 1-0 Victory

Friday, September 4

Harrisonburg, Va.

7:30 p.m.

James Madison University

3-2-0

East Carolina

1-3-1

East Carolina

James Madison

9/4/2015 11:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - A strike from junior forward Ashley Herndon in the 51st minute proved to be the difference in James Madison's 1-0 victory over East Carolina in non-conference women's soccer on a rainy Friday night at University Park.

A blocked shot earned the Dukes (3-2-0) a corner kick, and senior midfielder Kelly Kerrigan stepped up to handle the set-piece opportunity. The senior quickly laid the ball off to a nearby Herndon, who dribbled by two defenders and struck the ball with her right foot just above the reach of Pirates (1-3-1) goalkeeper Saundra Baron in the roof of the net.

The goal, Herndon's third of the season and 15th of her career, was all the Dukes needed as the defense limited ECU's chances in the offensive third all game. JMU outshot the Pirates by a 15-6 margin, including a 10-3 gap in the second half. The Dukes had multiple attempts just inches shy of points, highlighted by a Herndon free kick that rang off the crossbar in the 26th minute and redshirt junior forward Alyssa Zurlo's curling attempt that barely went high in the 60th minute.

East Carolina's best chance came in the 59th minute when the Pirates' leading scorer, Lana Spitler, fired a shot from the top of the box, but redshirt senior goalkeeper Ellen Forrest made a diving save to her right to end the threat.

The game began at 9 p.m., an hour and a half later than the scheduled start time, due to inclement weather in the area. The heavy rain and lightning subsided and the game was played from beginning to end without issue.

Rising the Record Boards
Herndon's goal was the15th of her career, which ties her with Deanna Saracino (2001-02), Lauren Stritzl (1995-98) and Stacey Tourtellotte (1995-96) for 20th all-time in program history.

Noteworthy
The Dukes have won three games so far in the 2015 season. All three have been shutout victories and clean sheets for Ellen Forrest who now has 12 in her career.

Coach's Quote
On the team's third shutout of the season: " I think it says a lot about our defense, but I think it says even more about Ellen Forrest," said Lombardo. "She made a couple of great saves tonight and she's been huge a couple of our wins and even in a couple of our losses where she really kept it close."

Freshman Spotlight
Fairfax, Va., native Kaitlyn McCurdy made her collegiate debut tonight, seeing 20 minutes off the bench and playing well in the midfield for head coach David Lombardo.

Photo of the Game
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