Johnson’s Brace, Stout Defense Pushes Women’s Soccer Past UNCG

Sunday, August 20

Harrisonburg, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

2-0-0, 0-0-0

UNCG

1-1-0, 0-0-0

UNC Greensboro

James Madison

Johnson’s Brace, Stout Defense Pushes Women’s Soccer Past UNCG

8/20/2023 9:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison redshirt senior Ellie Johnson netted her first two goals of her career while the defense only allowed three shots to push pash UNC Greensboro, 3-0, on Sunday evening in non-conference women's soccer at Sentara Park.

The Dukes have started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2014, while the Spartans fell to 1-1.

Johnson broke the scoreless tie in the 49^th minute before securing the brace in the 81^st minute. Junior Amanda Attanasi capitalized the win with a goal in the 85^th minute.

How It Happened

Junior Shea Collins laid the foundation of the attack for the evening by putting the first shot on goal of the match 50 seconds in.
In the 26^th minute, the Dukes strung four consecutive shots to break the scoreless tie. Collins led off by hitting the far post before Johnson's shot off the rebound was blocked. Another blocked shot preceded the final shot that went wide of the goal for a UNCG goal kick.
Mel Herrera's shot for UNCG in the 43^rd minute missed the goal, allowing the Dukes to take an 8-1 shot advantage into halftime with the score 0-0.
JMU struck first as redshirt senior Brittany Munson sent a pass into the box that junior Sophia Verrecchia deflected right to the feet of Johnson who easily pushed it in.
An equalizing attempt by Morgan Brubaker missed for the Spartans in the 60^th minute.
Johnson found the back of the net for the second time on the night with a rocket into the top left corner of the goal from the top of the 18-foot box.
Almost four minutes later, Attanasi made the score 3-0 in favor of the hosts after redshirt senior Suwaibatu Mohammed sent a long pass to Attanasi who lined the shot in the same part of the net as Johnson's second goal.
UNCG attempted one last shot in the 89^th minute to get on the board, but the attempt from Caroline Woods was blocked.

Quick Facts

UNCG did not have a shot on goal.
The last time the Dukes started off the season with three goals in each of their first two matches was in 2017.
Amanda Attanasi's 13^th career goal moves her into a tie for 29^th in program history.
JMU outshot the Spartans 15-3.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"So proud of the team tonight. I felt that we kept working to find our momentum until we figured where we could play. Anytime you hold the other team to no shots on goal and you score three, it is a job well done!"

Up Next
The Dukes hit the road for four of their next five matches, as they take on Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on Thursday, Aug. 24. The match is set for 7 p.m. and will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra.