Ray Laroche ('75) was a standout player on JMU's NCAA tournament soccer teams and was the 1972 Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association (VISA) Player of the Year as a sophomore. A four-year starter, he helped lead the Dukes to their first NCAA soccer tournament as a freshman in 1971. He set school single-game and season scoring records as a sophomore and broke his own season scoring record as a junior. JMU participated in three NCAA tournaments during his playing career, including the 1973 Division I tournament in the team's first year at that level. The Dukes had a 45-11-6 (.774) record and won or shared three VISA championships and three Virginia College Athletic Association (VCAA) titles during his four seasons on the team.
He was a three-time All-South selection and one of only three players in JMU soccer history to earn that distinction three times. He was named to the All-VISA Team four years and to the All-VCAA Team three years. He an NCAA regional all-tournament team selection in 1971.
He stands second on JMU's all-time lists for career goals (31), assists (24) and points (86), and the player ahead of him on the goals and points lists had to play nearly 20 games more than Laroche to surpass his records.
JMU Football | Bob Chesney Weekly Press Conference - Sept. 8, 2025JMU Football | Bob Chesney Weekly Press Conference - Sept. 8, 2025
Monday, September 08
JMU Football | Players Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025JMU Football | Players Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025
Saturday, September 06
JMU Football | Bob Chesney Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025JMU Football | Bob Chesney Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - Sept. 5, 2025
Saturday, September 06
JMU Football | Win this game.JMU Football | Win this game.