Dukes Drop Home Opener to Virginia Tech

Sunday, August 18

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

1-1-0, 0-0-0

Virginia Tech

2-0-0, 0-0-0

Virginia Tech

James Madison

8/18/2024 11:24:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A pair of first-half goals lifted Virginia Tech past James Madison women's soccer in its home opener on Sunday night at Sentara Park, 2-0.

The Hokies improved to 2-0 this season, while the Dukes evened their record to 1-1 after playing in front of 787 fans, which was the program's third-largest crowd at Sentara Park.

Goals by Samantha DeGuzman and Maysen Nelson put JMU in an early 2-0 hole, and despite holding VT to just three second-half shots, JMU was limited to just five for the match. Senior forward Amanda Attanasi led JMU with three total shots, recording both of the team's shots on goal. Redshirt freshman Sofia DeCerb registered five saves in goal in the loss.

How It Happened

The Hokies were awarded an early penalty kick in the fourth minute, which DeCerb corralled for her first save to keep it scoreless
The Hokies pressured JMU early, leading to their first goal in the ninth minute by DeGuzman.
Attanasi attacked the Virginia Tech goal twice in the following minutes, sending in two headers that were both saved.
Tech's second score came off another saved shot, which Nelson rebounded for the goal in the 31st minute.
Early in the second half, redshirt senior Lexi Vanderlinden pressured the Hokie defense with a shot that deflected off the goal post.
The Dukes managed to keep possession more balanced for the remainder of the period but were held to just one shot as the Tech defense held up to the finish.

Quick Facts

Tonight's contest was the third-most attended women's soccer match at Sentara Park, with 787 fans.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"All you can do from a game like this is learn from it and move on. I like the character, and the theme showed in the second half but we have to figure out how to have more courage under pressure going forward."

Up Next
The Dukes return to Sentara Park on Thursday, August 22 for a 7 p.m. affair with La Salle. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.