Tilahun’s Late Header Helps JMU Outlast Coastal Carolina, 1-0

Friday, October 2

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

4-4-2, 2-0-1

Coastal Carolina

1-4-4, 0-1-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Coastal Carolina	0	0	0
James Madison	0	1	1

Game Notes

Henok Tilahun celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal over CCU

Tilahun’s Late Header Helps JMU Outlast Coastal Carolina, 1-0

10/2/2026 11:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison men's soccer (4-4-2, 2-0-1 Sun Belt) found a way to overcome Coastal Carolina (1-4-4, 0-1-2 Sun Belt) in a chippy 1-0 victory Friday evening thanks to an 83rd-minute game-winning goal off the head of Henok Tilahun.

In a match where scoring was hard to come by, JMU outshot CCU, 14-11, but managed to put only two shots on goal to the Chanticleers' five. Manuel Lolas led JMU with four shots, while Håkon Rake took three. Chris Niblock assisted on JMU's lone goal while posting a pair of shots himself.

Defensively, Erik Jaspers pitched his fourth shutout of the season and second in Sun Belt play. The Dukes' netminder came away with five game-changing saves, all of which came in the second half to keep the Chanticleers off the scoreboard.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski

"It was good to get a result against Coastal Carolina and stay on top of the Sun Belt standings," Zazenski said.

How It Happened

The action ramped up in the 23rd minute when Carlos Cámara Tur put forth the Dukes' first shot on goal, booting a right-footed attempt that was saved by Coastal Carolina goalkeeper Will Devine.
From the 50th through 54th minutes, JMU pressed the issue, creating several chances for an opening goal, with shots from Niblock, Rake and Brock Frasier all sailing off target.
James Madison made the most of its second and final corner kick of the match as Niblock put one on a platter for Tilahun. The second-year defender angled the ball past CCU's defense to score the lone goal of the match and give JMU a 1-0 lead.
Jaspers answered the call in the 84th minute, making a clutch save to preserve the lead and secure the shutout of the Chanticleers.

Game Notes

With the win, JMU holds seven points in conference play, sharing the SBC lead with Georgia Southern following Friday's results.
JMU is on a five-match unbeaten streak dating back to Sept. 11, with wins over Longwood, UCF and Coastal Carolina and draws with Liberty and No. 1 South Carolina.
Tilahun recorded his first career goal and points with Friday night's game-winner over Coastal Carolina, making him the sixth Duke to find the back of the net this season.
Niblock shares the Sun Belt lead in assists after registering his fourth of the season.
JMU moves to 2-1-2 against the Chanticleers all-time, earning its first win in the series since 2022.

Up Next

James Madison continues a three-match homestand against Mary Baldwin on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Sentara Park.