In a thrilling Kick Cancer game at Bo Pitts Field on Sunday afternoon, first-place James Madison broke a scoreless halftime deadlock with three second-half goals to secure a 3-1 victory over Georgia Southern in Sun Belt Conference women’s soccer action.
The Dukes (7-3-3, 5-0-1 SBC) extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches, while the Eagles (5-9-1, 2-4 SBC) faced their third defeat in the last four outings. Despite the loss, Georgia Southern fought hard, showcasing a determined defense and offensive flashes.
How It Happened
The first half was a tight battle with both teams holding firm defensively. James Madison held a slight edge in shots, going into the break with a 5-2 advantage, but neither side could find the back of the net.
In the 55th minute, the Dukes broke through. A well-placed throughball from Jordan Yang found Ariana Reyes on the right side of the box, and Reyes delivered a perfect cross to Ginny Lackey, the SBC-leading goalscorer, who headed it home for her ninth goal of the season.
The Eagles responded just five minutes later, thanks to a brilliant solo effort by senior Smith Cathey. Freshman Libby Wooffindin found Cathey at midfield, and she sprinted past defenders, cutting into the box before finishing with a clinical shot inside the far post, tying the game at 1-1.
However, James Madison quickly regained control. Lexi Vanderlinden scored twice in a six-minute span to seal the match for the Dukes. Her first came in the 71st minute, finishing from close range after another setup by Yang. Vanderlinden struck again in the 77th minute, this time with a powerful shot into the upper netting following a pass from Shea Collins.
Key Stats:
– Shots: JMU 17, GS 7
– Corners: GS 8, JMU 6
– Saves: GS’s Quinn Wilson made a season-best six saves.
– Fouls: GS 11, JMU 8
Next Up
The Eagles will look to bounce back when they host South Alabama in another Sun Belt Conference clash on Friday at 5 p.m. at Bo Pitts Field.
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