Dukes Drop NCAA First Round Match at No. 16 South Carolina

Friday, November 10

Columbia, S.C.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

9-5-8, 4-1-5

South Carolina

12-2-6, 5-0-5

James Madison

South Carolina

Dukes Drop NCAA First Round Match at No. 16 South Carolina

11/10/2023 9:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two goals in a six-minute period in the first halfwas enough for No. 16 South Carolina, as it dropped James Madison, 2-0, in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship on Friday night at Stone Stadium.

Utilizing their first at-large bid into the national tournament since 2008, the Dukes ended their season at 9-5-8 after its 12^th NCAA appearance. The Gamecocks, who were the seventh seed in the bottom right quadrant of the bracket, improved to 12-2-6.

Juniors Amanda Attanasi and Sophia Verrecchia led the JMU attack with a pair of shots each. Redshirt senior Alexandra Blom made nine saves in goal to tie her season high and was one shy of her career high.

How It Happened

Both sides couldn't find much offense until the 10^th minute when SC was able to take the first shot. It was fired right at Blom for her first save.
The Gamecocks found the back of the net for the first time in the 25^th minute as Lily Render chipped in a shot inside the six.
About six minutes later, Render netted her second goal of the match for the two-goal lead. Both assists for her goals were credited to Corinna Zullo.
JMU managed its first shot in the 33^rd minute, as Attanasi had a good opportunity but sailed the ball just wide left.
The defense of JMU came up big as the match moved into the second half. Off a SC corner kick in the 54^th minute, Blom made a jumping save on a header that was followed by sophomore Jordan Yang clearing the ball inches in front of the goal line.
Junior Sophia Verrecchia had JMU's first shot placed on goal in the 64^th minute.
In the 69^th minute, JMU had one of its best chances of the night. Junior Shea Collins sent a through ball to senior London Lewis who managed to get the keeper 1-on-1 before Heather Hinz made the save.
SC had multiple opportunities in the second half, but Blom racked up seven saves in the final 45 minutes.
Collins provided one last chance for the Dukes in the 89^th minute, but her shot caromed off the crossbar.

Quick Hits

Alexandra Blom has made nine saves in a match now four times in her career.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"What a great season. This group established a new expectation for us. So proud of who we have become and where we are going."