HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – A four-goal second half propelled James Madison women’s soccer past Georgia Southern, 5-1, in Sun Belt action at Sentara Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Dukes improve to 5-3-3 on the year (1-1-1 SBC) as the Eagles fall to 2-7-2 (0-2-1 SBC). The goal scorers for JMU were Jamie Swartz, Jeanette Fieldsend, Ginny Lackey, Makenna Kirk, and Audrey Orrock. Olivia Del Toro and Roos Valk added the first assists of their JMU careers. Also grabbing assists were Ellie Farrell, Lackey, Fieldsend, and Orrock. Bri Conley tallied the Eagles’ lone goal.
Lili White received her fourth start of the season, playing all 90 minutes and making four saves.
Quote from Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
“Great Sunday, gritty team win today. We’ve had some issues with starting slow in the second half, and that was true today. The difference was our captain, Jordan Yang, who stepped up to push the team on. She changed the game by lifting us to a different level. Proud of the contribution by so many players today.”
How it Happened
• Following a corner kick taken by Fieldsend, Swartz managed to head the set piece past the GASO keeper to put the Dukes on the board, 1-0, in the 17th minute.
• The Eagles went on the offensive in the 35th minute, firing their first two shots of the match, but could not equalize.
• GASO came out of the break on the attack, scoring on their first shot of the half to even the match at 1-1 in the 47th minute.
• In the 65th minute, Valk relayed to Lackey, who found Fieldsend cutting through the box to put JMU back in front, 2-1.
• Del Toro managed to connect with Lackey as she was breaking free in the penalty box, who chipped a shot into the top of the net to double the Dukes’ lead, 3-1, in the 76th minute.
• Less than two minutes later, Orrock completed a cross to Kirk in the six-yard box, who put it behind the GASO keeper to grow the JMU lead to 4-1.
• James Madison capped a busy second half with a goal from Orrock in the 89th minute to secure the 5-1 victory.
Quick Facts
• The last time JMU scored five goals was a 5-0 victory vs. Troy on October 27, 2022, at Sentara Park.
• Kirk’s goal was the first of her career.
• The all-time series between these two teams is tied at 2-2.
• Today’s victory is JMU’s first over the Eagles at Sentara Park.
Up Next
JMU will head down south, where they will face off against Troy in Sun Belt play on Saturday, September 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
