HARRISONBURG, Va. – A second half goal from James Madison brought it within one but it wasn’t enough to claw out of a two-goal hole, as it fell, 2-1, to Georgia Southern on Sunday afternoon at Sentara Park in Sun Belt Conference women’s soccer. Despite the result, the Dukes have clinched a berth into the Sun Belt Tournament with Louisiana’s loss to Troy.

The Dukes had their 10-match unbeaten streak and 12-match home unbeaten streak both snapped as they dropped to 6-3-8, 3-1-5 SBC. The Eagles won their sixth straight and improved to 12-5, 6-3 SBC.

Junior Amanda Attanasi scored the lone JMU goal and led the attack with five shots, putting three on goal. Senior Haley Stoup started in goal and made two saves before redshirt senior Alexandra Blom went in goal to begin the second half, making one save.

How It Happened
• The Dukes had chances in the first half to get on the board, putting five shots on frame in the opening 45 minutes.
• Georgia Southern struck first a tick ahead of two minutes to go in the first half to take the early lead.
• Attanasi nearly equalized for JMU in the 52nd minute, but her shot just barely missed wide.
• GS netted its second goal in the 53rd minute, as Bri Conley created space and fired in a shot from about 20 yards out.
• JMU responded quickly, scoring in the 54th minute, on a header from Attanasi. Redshirt senior Ellie Johnson made a short pass to classmate Brittany Munson before Munson sent a service into the box finding Attanasi.
• The Dukes outshot the Eagles 7-3 in the second half, but only had one shot on goal as GS crowded the box as the match went on.

Quick Facts
• Lexi Vanderlinden tied a career-high with three shots while Jeanette Fieldsend took a season-high three shots as well.
• JMU put seven of its 16 shots on goal.
• The Dukes took four corner kicks in each half, having an 8-3 advantage in total.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
“Disappointing result for us and it puts us in a tough position next week heading into the Coastal Carolina game. We have to create more danger and in front of the goal. Our character as a team is being tested.”

Up Next
The Dukes will host Coastal Carolina at Sentara Park in the regular season finale on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. with the match being streamed on ESPN+. With 14 points, JMU is currently a point out of being a top-six seed which earns a bye into the quarterfinals. Georgia State is a point ahead of the Dukes at 15 points.

— JMU Athletics —