Dukes Rally on the Road, Top Marshall 3-2

Sunday, October 27

Huntington, W.Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

10-3-3, 8-0-1

Marshall

3-7-5, 1-4-4

James Madison

Marshall

10/27/2024 4:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Huntington, W.Va. James Madison women's soccer answered two first-half Marshall goals and scored in the second half to take a 3-2 win over the Thundering Herd on Sunday at Hoops Family Field.

The Dukes moved to 10-3-3 (8-0-1 conf.) while Marshall fell to 3-7-5 (1-4-4 conf.).

JMU's depth was on display once again, as the offense produced seven points from as many players. Junior midfielder Jordan Yang got her fourth assist in the last four games on the Dukes' first goal from senior forward Amanda Attanasi, also assisted by freshman forward Ginny Lackey. Lackey's fifth assist of the season makes ten straight matches scoring a point, breaking a JMU program record of nine previously held by Corky Julien in 2009 and Ashley Herndon in 2014-15.

Sophomore midfielder Ellie Farrell provided her second assist in as many games on freshman midfielder Tali Rovner's goal, and redshirt senior midfielder Lexi Vanderlinden provided a classic cross to senior forward Sophia Verrecchia for the game-winning goal.

Redshirt freshman Sofia DeCerb made her sixteenth start in goal, playing all 90 minutes. JMU outshot the Herd 12-9, including a defensive effort that once again decreased the number of shots allowed from the first half to the second (6-3).

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"Great win on the road against a very well-coached and talented Marshall team. This game will help us going into the last regular season game and tournament."

How it Happened

JMU attacked early, with Lackey taking a shot in the second minute on goal.
A through ball on a breakaway allowed Elodie Metho to give Marshall the early 1-0 lead in the fifth minute.
Six minutes later, Lackey found Attanasi on a cross for the equalizer to make it 1-1 in the 11th minute.
Katie Porter gave Marshall back the lead in the 35th minute on a defensive miscue.
The advantage was short-lived, as Rovner took a pass from Farrell in the box to make it 2-2 in the 36th minute going into the half.
Early in the second, JMU was able to get deep into its attacking zone. A header from Attanasi that ricocheted off the post was rebounded by Vanderlinden, who crossed it to Verrecchia for the rocket to give the Dukes their first lead in the 52nd minute.
The Dukes found a few more opportunities to extend the lead, with Lackey and Ariana Reyes taking shots in the following minutes.
The defense held strong down the stretch, blocking two shots in the 86th minute as Marshall's attempts to equalize came up short and the Dukes held on for the win.

Quick Facts

The victory is the second come-from-behind win this season, and the seventh match with three or more assists.
Two Dukes moved up the program rankings in the match. Vanderlinden's 24th assist of her career moves her inside the top ten, tied for eighth all-time. Attanasi's 26th goal of her career moves her into a three-way tie for 11th in JMU history.
The tenth win on the year gives Walters Sr. his third season at the helm with at least ten wins.

Up Next

JMU closes out the regular season when it travels to Mobile, Alabama for a contest with South Alabama on Thursday, Oct. 31st. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ESPN+.