Attanasi Brace Powers Dukes over Mountaineers on Senior Night

Thursday, October 17

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

8-3-3, 6-0-1

App State

5-4-5, 2-1-3

App State

James Madison

Attanasi Brace Powers Dukes over Mountaineers on Senior Night

10/17/2024 10:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. Senior forward Amanda Attanasi secured her second career brace, and freshman forward Ginny Lackey scored for the eighth consecutive match to push JMU over App State at home, 3-0, on senior night at Sentara Park.

The Dukes moved to 8-3-3 (6-0-1 conf.) while App State fell to 5-4-5 (2-1-3 conf.). For the second straight game, six different Dukes logged points. Amanda Attanasi got JMU off to a quick 2-0 lead with her brace in the first half, assisted by Lackey and junior defender Jordan Yang on the first, and redshirt junior forward Ariana Reyes on the second. The Dukes kept a 2-0 advantage until the 82nd minute when Lackey took a pass from redshirt senior midfielder Lexi Vanderlinden and senior forward Shea Collins for the insurance goal.

Redshirt freshman Sofia DeCerb made her fourteenth start in goal, playing all 90 minutes. JMU outshot App State 27-1, setting a season-high and largest margin on the year in shots. The Dukes allowed just a single shot on goal. It is their fourth shutout of the year and their second in the last three matches.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"Every game it's a different goal scorer that shows up to capitalize. Tonight it was Amanda. I'm so proud of the girls and us winning the East Division, securing a place in the top two of the conference tournament."

How it Happened

JMU got attacking early with the first shot of the match coming in the fourth minute from Sophia Verrecchia, as the Dukes held possession in their attacking zone and pressured the Mountaineer defense.
In the 18th minute, Lackey delivered a pass to the cutting Yang who then met Attanasi right down the middle of the box to make it 1-0 Dukes.
Shortly after in the 22nd minute, Reyes tipped a throw-in to Attanasi who took it herself from outside the box to double the JMU lead.
The Dukes almost struck again shortly after with shots from Reyes and Lackey in the 25th and 26th minute.
App State got its lone shot on goal in the 45th minute, saved by DeCerb.
JMU continued its offensive barrage early in the second half, getting off six shots in the span of six minutes, testing the App State goalie and back line.
In the 82nd minute, Vanderlinden sent a pass from midfield to a sprinting Collins, who placed the ball to Lackey in the box and used a strong left to find the back of the net for the 3-0 lead, helping JMU cruise to the finish line.

Quick Facts

With the win, JMU secures the East Division and a top-two spot in the conference tournament.
Lackey's goal is her tenth score in nine games. She leads the conference in goals per game (1.11).
The victory marked the fifth match of the season with three or more assists. Reyes, Collins, and Yang have logged assists in back-to-back matches.
The Dukes are now the only team in the conference without a loss.
Attanasi is the third Duke to grab a brace this season, joining Vanderlinden and Lackey.

Up Next
JMU returns to Sentara Park for its final regular season home contest with Arkansas State on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.