Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus App State on October 1, 2026 , Win , 3, to, 1
WSOC
Final
James Madison
3
vs App State
1
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
11/5/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NEW ORLEANS – James Madison women's soccer brought home three major awards and saw six players named All-Sun Belt, the league announced Thursday afternoon.
Ginny Lackey earned SBC Player of the Year honors for the second time in her career, also earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team. Holly Minshull, an All-Conference Third Teamer, was named SBC Freshman of the Year, with Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr. gathering his second career Coach of the Year recognition.
In addition to the major awards, Aleigha Arndt (First), Selma Rajakangas (Second), Soleil Flores (Second), and Ellie Farrell (Third) each earned All-Sun Belt recognitions.
Ginny Lackey turned in another stellar season, bringing home her second Player of the Year recognition and becoming the first two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year since Taryn Hemmings did so at Denver in 2006 and 2008. Starting all 17 matches for the Dukes. The Manchester, England, native led the Sun Belt in goals (15), game-winning goals (6), and points (33). The fourth-year scored a league-leading 12 goals in conference matches, including eight straight matches with a score. Additionally, her 26 points in conference games were also a league-leading number. Her 15 goals are the most by a Sun Belt Player since Briana Morris of South Alabama scored 16 in 2019. Lackey also becomes the first Sun Belt player to turn in two 30+ point seasons since Rio Hardy did so at South Alabama in 2014 and 2017.
Holly Minshull played all 17 games for the Dukes this season, starting in 15. The freshman defender helped the Dukes log three conference shutouts on the season, playing all 90 minutes in all but one of JMU's Sun Belt matches. A threat on offense as well, Minshull recorded the first multi-goal game of the season for JMU against UNCG, scoring twice during JMU's 4-1 win. The first-year scored three total goals on the season for 6 points, leading all JMU first-years.
Coach Walters led the Dukes to a 9-5-3 record in 2026, going 7-1-2 in conference and finishing the season unbeaten in 10 of their final 11 matches and earning the Sun Belt's regular season title. JMU's performance in league contests allowed them to earn the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt tournament for the second time since joining the league in 2022.
Aleigha Arndt started all 17 matches at midfield for the Dukes, scoring four goals and three assists for a total of 11 points, her second 10+ point campaign in as many seasons for JMU. Â Arndt was an anchor in JMU's lineup, playing a career-high 1,300 minutes and turning in four complete games.
Selma Rajakangas started all 17 matches for JMU, playing on a backline that forced three shutouts and helped JMU win five straight in Sun Belt play. On the offensive end, Rajakangas provided five assists, a career best and tying her for third in the Sun Belt. The Orebro, Sweden native tallied a career high two assists against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15. To allow the Dukes to grab a 3-1 win.
Soleil Flores returned for the Dukes in 2026, starting all 17 games on the JMU defense. The fifth year was a game changer on the defensive end, forcing three shutouts in Sun Belt play and holding conference opponents to only 63 shots, with only 26 of those shots being on goal. Flores also found ways to contribute offensively, registering an assist against Georgia State.
Ellie Farrell appeared in all 17 of the Dukes' matches this season, making the starting lineup seven times. The fourth-year player pushed the pace offensively, recording three goals and four assists for the first 10+ point season of her career. The Wilmington, N.C. native registered three games with 3+ points this season, two of which came during conference play.
The Dukes will begin play in the Sun Belt Women's Soccer Championship on Monday, Nov. 9, taking on No. 8 Southern Miss in the first round at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex in Foley, Ala.. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Ginny Lackey earned SBC Player of the Year honors for the second time in her career, also earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team. Holly Minshull, an All-Conference Third Teamer, was named SBC Freshman of the Year, with Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr. gathering his second career Coach of the Year recognition.
In addition to the major awards, Aleigha Arndt (First), Selma Rajakangas (Second), Soleil Flores (Second), and Ellie Farrell (Third) each earned All-Sun Belt recognitions.
Ginny Lackey turned in another stellar season, bringing home her second Player of the Year recognition and becoming the first two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year since Taryn Hemmings did so at Denver in 2006 and 2008. Starting all 17 matches for the Dukes. The Manchester, England, native led the Sun Belt in goals (15), game-winning goals (6), and points (33). The fourth-year scored a league-leading 12 goals in conference matches, including eight straight matches with a score. Additionally, her 26 points in conference games were also a league-leading number. Her 15 goals are the most by a Sun Belt Player since Briana Morris of South Alabama scored 16 in 2019. Lackey also becomes the first Sun Belt player to turn in two 30+ point seasons since Rio Hardy did so at South Alabama in 2014 and 2017.
Holly Minshull played all 17 games for the Dukes this season, starting in 15. The freshman defender helped the Dukes log three conference shutouts on the season, playing all 90 minutes in all but one of JMU's Sun Belt matches. A threat on offense as well, Minshull recorded the first multi-goal game of the season for JMU against UNCG, scoring twice during JMU's 4-1 win. The first-year scored three total goals on the season for 6 points, leading all JMU first-years.
Coach Walters led the Dukes to a 9-5-3 record in 2026, going 7-1-2 in conference and finishing the season unbeaten in 10 of their final 11 matches and earning the Sun Belt's regular season title. JMU's performance in league contests allowed them to earn the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt tournament for the second time since joining the league in 2022.
Aleigha Arndt started all 17 matches at midfield for the Dukes, scoring four goals and three assists for a total of 11 points, her second 10+ point campaign in as many seasons for JMU. Â Arndt was an anchor in JMU's lineup, playing a career-high 1,300 minutes and turning in four complete games.
Selma Rajakangas started all 17 matches for JMU, playing on a backline that forced three shutouts and helped JMU win five straight in Sun Belt play. On the offensive end, Rajakangas provided five assists, a career best and tying her for third in the Sun Belt. The Orebro, Sweden native tallied a career high two assists against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15. To allow the Dukes to grab a 3-1 win.
Soleil Flores returned for the Dukes in 2026, starting all 17 games on the JMU defense. The fifth year was a game changer on the defensive end, forcing three shutouts in Sun Belt play and holding conference opponents to only 63 shots, with only 26 of those shots being on goal. Flores also found ways to contribute offensively, registering an assist against Georgia State.
Ellie Farrell appeared in all 17 of the Dukes' matches this season, making the starting lineup seven times. The fourth-year player pushed the pace offensively, recording three goals and four assists for the first 10+ point season of her career. The Wilmington, N.C. native registered three games with 3+ points this season, two of which came during conference play.
The Dukes will begin play in the Sun Belt Women's Soccer Championship on Monday, Nov. 9, taking on No. 8 Southern Miss in the first round at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex in Foley, Ala.. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) and will be streamed on ESPN+.
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