Late Goal from Larsson Give Dukes Draw with No. 6 West Virginia

Sunday, October 27

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

7-2-6, 3-1-3

West Virginia

10-1-4, 5-0-2

West Virginia

James Madison

Late Goal from Larsson Give Dukes Draw with No. 6 West Virginia

10/27/2024 10:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Junior Kevin Larsson scored his second goal of Sunday night in the 88^th minute to give James Madison men's soccer a 2-2 draw with No. 6 West Virginia at Sentara Park in Sun Belt Conference action.

The Dukes moved to 7-2-6 overall and 3-1-3 in conference action, while improving their home unbeaten streak to 11 matches. The Mountaineers improved to 10-1-4 overall and 5-0-2 in league matches.

Sophomore Luca Nikolai had a career-high-tying three shots to pace the offense, while Larsson netted his third career brace and second this season. Junior Sebastian Conlon worked a full 90-minute shift and made five saves.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"We were very proud of the guys tonight for getting a point when WVU had the lead late in the match. They are a very tough opponent in every sense and every point matters in the Sun Belt. Overall, we are pleased we competed for 90 minutes. Credit to the fans tonight for creating a great atmosphere as this was a great college soccer game to be a part of."

How It Happened

West Virginia held a 6-2 shot advantage over the Dukes after the two sides went into halftime scoreless.
Redshirt senior Evan Southern nearly put the Dukes on the board in the 13^th minute, but his shot across the box that evaded the keeper went off the post.
Southern then helped JMU find the back of the net, crossing a pass into the box for Larsson to sneak pass Marc Bonnaire in goal for the 1-0 lead.
WVU leveled the match in the 71^st minute on a goal from Marcus Caldeira, five minutes after subbing on.
The Mountaineers took the lead in the 83^rd minute as Caldeira found Isaac Schneer who flicked it in goal.
JMU found the equalizing goal in the 88^th minute after a foul set it up for a free kick a few yards out and to the right of the box. Larsson took the free kick and found the back of the net to level the Dukes.

Quick Facts

Kevin Larsson first brace of the season came on Oct. 15 at Georgia Southern.
Evan Southern's assist on Larsson's first goal was his seventh of the season, the most for a Duke in a season since Rodrigo Robles had eight helpers in 2021.
Josiah Blanton entered the top 10 for starts in a JMU career, moving into a tie for ninth with his 72^nd.
The 11-match home unbeaten streak is the 10^th longest in program history and longest such streak since a 15-match streak from 2011-12.
JMU is 3-3-4 in its last 10 matches against ranked opponents.
The draw with No. 6 West Virginia is the highest ranked result at home for the Dukes since knocking off No. 1 Wake Forest, 1-0, in 2019.

Up Next
The Dukes look to honor their 13 seniors in their next match as they host Georgia State on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. for Senior Night at Sentara Park.