Quartet of Dukes Score in Home-Opening Win Against American

Sunday, August 22

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

1-1-0, 0-0-0

American

0-2-0, 0-0-0

American

James Madison

Quartet of Dukes Score in Home-Opening Win Against American

8/22/2021 4:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Four different Dukes scored in the James Madison women's soccer team's home opener, as they took down American, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon at Sentara Park.

Both teams started slow out the gate, with each team only taking one shot through the first 10 minutes of the match. Minutes later though, Ariana Reyes would find the back of the net in the 14^th minute for the first time in her career off of a pass from Lexi Vanderlinden to give JMU a 1-0 lead. A barrage of shots from the JMU offense would consume the remaining time in the half, as JMU took a total of nine shots with six being placed on goal during the first half.

The JMU attack picked up right where it ended in the first half, as Aïmy Diop took a shot three seconds into the second half. The JMU offense continued with the pressure, putting four shots up across a five-minute span before American took a shot of their own in the 54^th minute. It was the first shot taken by the Eagles since the 20^th minute.

The two teams continued battling possessions until the 62^nd minute when Amanda Attanasi redirected a pass from Ebony Wiseman pass the goalkeeper to give JMU a 2-0 lead. Wiseman was not done though, as just over two and a half minutes later she found the back of the net herself on a rocket from just near the 18-foot box. Vanderlinden was credited with the assist, her second of the game.

The two squads would then battle it out on the field for the next 12 minutes, with neither team really getting ahead of the other. That would change in the 76^th minute, as JMU sent a barrage of three shots within three minutes against American and would cap it off with a Lidia Nduka penalty kick that would set JMU up with a 4-0 lead.

The Dukes would hold anchor down their backline for the remainder of the game and hold on for the 4-0 win.

Game Notes

The Dukes took 16 shots on goals, with Amanda Attanasi (three), Madie Vincent (two), Ginger Deel (two), and Aïmy Diop (two) all having more than one.
Lexi Vanderlinden's two goals were the first of her career.
Six different Dukes took multiple shots on the day.
The Dukes scored four goals or more against American for the seventh time out of 14.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"You have to love a bounce back performance like the one from today. We showed great depth and wore down American. We are still a work in progress, but it is exciting to think about our potential to grow and improve. I thought Lexi Vanderlinden was quite good today creating for others and Alexandra Blom led our defense to a shutout!"

Up Next
The Dukes will head on the road for their next contest, traveling to Louisville for a Thursday night matchup on August 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.