Dukes Take Down Southern Miss, 5-0, in Sun Belt Opener

Friday, September 18

Hattiesburg, Miss.

5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. CST)

James Madison University

3-4-1, 1-0-0

Southern Miss

3-3-2, 0-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
James Madison	2	3	5
Southern Miss.	0	0	0

Match Notes

JMU Womens Soccer celebrates after scoring a gaol against NC State

9/18/2026 7:52:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – James Madison women's soccer opened its Sun Belt schedule with a win on Friday, taking down Southern Miss 5-0 in Hattiesburg.

The Dukes (3-4-1) outpaced the Golden Eagles in shots (14-10), shots on goal (8-2), and corner kicks (6-1). Ginny Lackey and Ellie Farrell led the JMU offense with a goal and an assist each. Samantha DeGuzman, Holly Minshull, and Audrey Orrock also found the scoring column, with Emily Graeca registering an assist.

Sofia DeCerb got the start at goalkeeper, where she played 68 minutes and made a save. Kennedy Rist replaced DeCerb, playing just over 20 minutes and making a save.

Olivia Tribolet's two shots led the Golden Eagles with one being placed on goal. Logan McGruder played all 90 minutes at goalkeeper and made three saves.

How it Happened

Lackey found space in the second minute; however, her shot attempt was saved.
Lackey put the Dukes in front in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a pass from Emily Graeca to take a 1-0 lead.
Each squad traded shots on goal in the 26th minute, with both resulting in saves.
In the 43rd minute, Minshull capitalized off a deflected corner kick to put JMU ahead by a pair of scores at halftime.
JMU wasted no time with DeGuzman scoring on the Dukes' first shot attempt of the half to grab a 3-0 lead in the 48th minute.
The JMU defense held strong, holding Southern Miss to only one shot for the next 17 minutes before extending its lead to 4-0 after Orrock found the net at the 65-minute mark.
Southern Miss registered a shot on target in the 76th minute that was saved by Rist.
James Madison extended its lead in the 86th minute, going up 5-0 on the heels of a penalty kick from Farrell.

Match Notes

This afternoon's match was the third time meeting between the two programs. With the win, JMU leads the all-time series 2-0-1.
Through three all-time meetings, JMU has outscored USM 12-2 overall.
Tonight's result marks the Dukes' first shutout of the season.
DeGuzman's score is the first of her JMU career.

Up Next

JMU will return to Sentara Park on Thursday, Sept. 24, when the Dukes will host ULM to continue conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.