COLUMBIA, S.C. (JMU Athletics) – After going down a goal in the opening minutes, James Madison men’s soccer (3-4-2, 1-0-1) refused to fold, finding an equalizer from Carlos Cámara Tur in the 53rd minute and leaving Eugene E. Stone III Stadium with a 1-1 draw against No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday night.
For the fourth time since 1991, JMU has notched a result against a top-ranked opponent, with the Dukes’ record against No. 1 foes moving to 3-2-1 in that span.
Prior to the Dukes’ game-tying goal, JMU created plenty of chances, holding possession for large stretches of the first half. Through the opening 45 minutes, the Dukes led the Gamecocks 7-1 in shots, 4-1 in shots on goal and 2-0 in corner kicks but trailed 1-0 on the scoreboard.
Cámara Tur and the Dukes flipped the script in the second half as the third-year forward registered four shots, all of which were on goal, and tallied the game-tying score in nutmeg fashion. The Iowa Western CC transfer has recorded at least one point in each of the Dukes’ last four matches and found the back of the net in three of them.
Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
“After a slow start the boys locked in and put on a great performance against the No. 1 team in the country on the road,” said Zazenski. “Every Sun Belt point is vital and we had three to four close chances that their GK came up huge on. It got a little dicey down the stretch but we weathered it and are leaving SC with a solid point. We are proud of the efforts on the night.”
How It Happened
• South Carolina drew first blood in the third minute as Loic Sany Kong scored off a Dukes’ miscue to put the Gamecocks ahead 1-0 early.
• The first half was filled with chances for JMU, none better than Dylan Randazzo’s one-time shot in the 35th minute that forced a diving save from South Carolina goalkeeper Noah Scheidweiler.
• Daniel Bunk came away with the ball off a South Carolina giveaway and pushed upfield to create a golden opportunity for the Dukes. The second-year midfielder fed Cámara Tur in the box, and the Dukes’ Spanish striker took care of the rest, poking the ball between Scheidweiler’s legs to even the score in the 53rd minute.
• Following JMU’s equalizer, the Dukes’ defense held off a flurry of shots by the Gamecocks as Erik Jaspers made numerous clutch saves to keep James Madison level with South Carolina in the late stages.
Game Notes
• Three of JMU’s four positive results against top-ranked teams since 1991 have come in the Zazenski era. The last time the Dukes won or drew against a No. 1 team was a 1-0 victory over UCF in 2023.
• James Madison is also 5-7-5 against top-10 teams during Zazenski’s tenure at JMU, which began in 2018.
• Cámara Tur is the first Duke to notch at least one point in four straight matches since Rodrigo Robles in 2023. The third-year forward scored his third goal of 2026, tying Manuel Lolas for the team lead in goals and points with seven.
• The 1-1 draw gives JMU its first road result of the season after starting 0-3 away from Sentara Park. It’s also the Dukes’ first result away from home since a 1-1 draw with Coastal Carolina on Nov. 4, 2025.
Up Next
James Madison looks to stay unbeaten in Sun Belt play as the Dukes host Coastal Carolina on Friday at 7 p.m. at Sentara Park.
— JMU Athletics —
