HARRISONBURG Va. (JMU Athletics) – A 23rd minute goal scored by Rider put the Broncs ahead of the Dukes in the first half as James Madison men’s soccer fell 1-0 in the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational at Sentara Park on Thursday night. The result puts JMU at 0-1 while Rider stands at 1-0.
James Madison had a balanced offensive attack with Jonas Griesbauer and Diego Ossa leading the team in shots, both notching three apiece. In goal, Erik Jaspers made three saves.
Quote from Head Coach Paul Zazenski
“Rider had strong counters and they stuck to their plan and were very organized. We didn’t show up the way we know we can but hopefully we can learn from it and get better on Monday.”
How It Happened
• Chris Niblock registered the first shot of the game, poking one just wide of the right post from just outside of the box.
• JMU had a flurry of chances in the 11th minute, recording three shots in a one-minute span.
• Rider’s 23rd minute counter led to a right footed goal by Emmanuel Dan-Adokiene with the goal being set up and assisted by Chiemeka Azurunwa.
• James Madison nearly had a last second equalizer to end the first half as Griesbauer put a shot on goal that was saved by Rider’s goalkeeper.
• In the 78th minute, Jaspers made a critical save to stifle a dangerous Rider attack, his third of the night.
• After nearly a full half of back and forth competition, a late Dukes surge was led by Ossa, who put three shots on the scorecard in the final two minutes of play, the first of which was on goal but saved by Marius Helias.
Game Notes
• James Madison out-shot Rider 14-12 with each team putting four shots on goal.
• Eight of the Dukes 14 shots came in the second half as JMU out-tallied the Broncs by two, 8-6 in the second period.
• In totality, eight Dukes registered a shot with Niblock and Jeffrey Aguilar posting a pair of shots each.
Up Next
James Madison hosts Gardner-Webb on Monday night at 7 p.m. from Sentara Park in the second match of the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational.
— JMU Athletics —
