HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) — James Madison graduate Aidan Melville found the back of the net in the 76th minute to down No. 14 Georgetown on Monday night, 1-0, in non-conference men’s soccer at Sentara Park.

The Dukes remained unbeaten on the season and earned their first win to improve to 1-0-3. The Hoyas dropped to 2-2-2.

Redshirt senior Evan Southern paced the offense throughout the match for JMU, taking a match-high four shots. Junior Sebastian Conlon recorded his third shutout of the season, making five saves in a full 90 minutes of work in goal.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
“It was great to get our first victory of the season against a great team like Georgetown. We have the upmost respect for them and their program so we knew it would take our best efforts. The second half was a bit chippy at times but we scored when we needed to and secured our first win. Credit to the guys for another shut out and for fighting to see out the victory.”

How It Happened
• The Hoyas had a pair of chances in a six second spread from the 12th to 13th minute. A shot off the post from Max Viera rebounded to Blaine Mabie who shot just wide left.
• The two sides traded shots on goal in the 24th minute, both being saved by each respected keepers.
• GU was once again denied by the left post, with a shot from Mitchell Baker in the 33rd minute hitting it and deflecting to Mabie again who had his shot saved.
• Southern had a chance in the 48th minute to give the Dukes the lead but his shot came up saved.
• In the 76th minute, Southern had his second shot of the night saved to set up a JMU corner kick. Junior Kevin Larsson handled the kick, landing it in front of Melville who was inside the six and turned to bury the shot for the 1-0 lead.
• Georgetown had a pair of shots in the 80th and 84th minutes, but the JMU backline held strong.

Quick Facts
• The Dukes are now 3-1-1 in their last five matches against ranked opponents overall.
• The win is the highest ranked win in the regular season since the Dukes took down No. 1 UCF in last season’s regular season finale.
• The shutout is the seventh shutout produced out of nine matches in the all-time series. Including the shutout this season, it is the sixth consecutive shutout in the all-time series that either team has recorded.
• JMU led GU in corner kicks, 8-4, with six of the eight coming in the first half for the Dukes.
• The game-winner was Aidan Melville’s second career goal and first since scoring against Rhode Island on Feb. 20, 2021 as a member of Providence.
• Two goals through the first four matches of the season are the fewest since allowing just one goal in that stretch in the spring 2021 season. The 2009 season was the last fall season to see the Dukes concede just two goals in the opening four matches.

Up Next
JMU closes out its three-match homestand on Saturday, Sept. 15 as it welcomes Liberty to Sentara Park for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

— JMU Athletics —