Dukes Fall 2-1 to Northeastern on Senior Night

Saturday, November 6

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

11-5-1, 5-3-0

Northeastern

11-5-2, 5-2-1

Northeastern

James Madison

11/6/2021 10:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison opened the scoring just before the halftime break, but two Northeastern goals in the second half dropped the Dukes, 2-1, on Saturday night at Sentara Park during Senior Night.

The Dukes fall to 11-5-1 overall and 5-3 in conference play while Northeastern moves to 11-5-2, 5-2-1 CAA.

The Dukes had the offensive advantage in the first half, outshooting the Huskies 11-6 and taking five corner kicks compared to their one. JMU was finally able to break through just moments before the halftime break, as redshirt freshman Josiah Blanton sent a pass from the sideline into the box. Graduate student Max Poelker received the pass and was able to turn and score the goal for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Poelker's first of his career in the purple and gold.

The roles reversed in the second half, as the Huskies then outshot the Dukes 13-5. Northeastern was able to find the equalizer in the 68^th minute as Benjamin Klingen went unassisted up the middle of the box to get the Huskies on the board. They then took the lead in the 86^th minute, when Klingen found the back of the net for a second time.

Redshirt junior Luca Erhardt led the Dukes with four shots, with three on goal. A quartet of Dukes also took multiple shots. Graduate student Martin Leu picked up six saves, one short of his season-high. It is the first time he has allowed multiple goals since Sept. 28 against George Washington when he allowed two.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"No college athlete, coach, or team should have to go through what we have gone through the last week. The system has failed them and they don't deserve any of this. I am proud of them and will continue to fight for them any chance I can. We should be hosting and playing in the conference tournament next week, plain and simple. We earned the right to host from last season and we qualified this season. Through all this mess, my players have stuck together and shown exceptional character. They are an amazing group to coach."