Dukes Fall in Sun Belt Opener at No. 13 West Virginia

Friday, September 19

Morgantown, W.Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

0-5-1, 0-1-0

West Virginia

5-1-1, 1-0-0

James Madison

West Virginia

9/19/2025 9:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams, James Madison men's soccer fell, 2-1, to No. 13 West Virginia on Friday night at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

The Dukes dropped to 0-5-1 while the Mountaineers improved to 5-1-1.

Redshirt junior Cameron Arnold netted the lone goal for JMU, leading the offense with three shots. Sophomore Erik Jaspers made a career-high-tying five saves in 90 minutes of action.

How It Happened

The Mountaineer offense came out with a barrage of shots to begin the match, taking four shots with three on goal in the opening 13 minutes.
WVU struck in the 14^th minute, as Pablo Pozos found the back of the net just outside of the six-yard box.
A total of 10 shots were taken by West Virginia in the half, as the Dukes were able to rebuke the five attempts after the goal.
WVU netted a second goal on a free kick at the very top of the 18-yard box to make the score 2-0.
In the 53^rd minute, freshman Luis Fuentes nearly got the Dukes on the board but his shot from about 23 yards out went wide of the goal by inches.
Arnold had the best opportunity for JMU in the 62^nd minute with a chance on goal, but it came up saved.
Initially no call was made, but after review, a foul was called drawn by Arnold inside the penalty box. Arnold stepped up and converted the goal to make the score 2-1 in the 67^th minute.
Redshirt freshman Smith Halloran attempted to level the match, going wide with a shot inside the penalty box in the 90^th minute.

Quick Facts

JMU took 10 shots as a team, the most in a match this season.
Erik Jaspers has recorded five saves in a match twice before, the last time being on Nov. 17 of last season.
For the first time in the four matches JMU and WVU have played as Sun Belt members, the match did not end in a tie.

Up Next
The Dukes return home after the three-match road trip on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and will welcome Iona to Sentara Park for a 7 p.m. kickoff.