MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (JMU Athletics) – In the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams, James Madison men’s soccer fell, 2-1, to No. 13 West Virginia on Friday night at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
The Dukes dropped to 0-5-1 while the Mountaineers improved to 5-1-1.
Redshirt junior Cameron Arnold netted the lone goal for JMU, leading the offense with three shots. Sophomore Erik Jaspers made a career-high-tying five saves in 90 minutes of action.
How It Happened
• The Mountaineer offense came out with a barrage of shots to begin the match, taking four shots with three on goal in the opening 13 minutes.
• WVU struck in the 14th minute, as Pablo Pozos found the back of the net just outside of the six-yard box.
• A total of 10 shots were taken by West Virginia in the half, as the Dukes were able to rebuke the five attempts after the goal.
• WVU netted a second goal on a free kick at the very top of the 18-yard box to make the score 2-0.
• In the 53rd minute, freshman Luis Fuentes nearly got the Dukes on the board but his shot from about 23 yards out went wide of the goal by inches.
• Arnold had the best opportunity for JMU in the 62nd minute with a chance on goal, but it came up saved.
• Initially no call was made, but after review, a foul was called drawn by Arnold inside the penalty box. Arnold stepped up and converted the goal to make the score 2-1 in the 67th minute.
• Redshirt freshman Smith Halloran attempted to level the match, going wide with a shot inside the penalty box in the 90th minute.
Quick Facts
• JMU took 10 shots as a team, the most in a match this season.
• Erik Jaspers has recorded five saves in a match twice before, the last time being on Nov. 17 of last season.
• For the first time in the four matches JMU and WVU have played as Sun Belt members, the match did not end in a tie.
Up Next
The Dukes return home after the three-match road trip on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and will welcome Iona to Sentara Park for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
— JMU Athletics —
