Dukes Come From Behind To Best William and Mary, 3-1

Wednesday, October 14

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

3-6-4 (2-1-2CAA)

William and Mary

4-6-2 (1-4CAA)

William & Mary

James Madison

10/14/2015 9:21:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison overcame an early deficit and scored three unanswered goals to secure a 3-1 win over William and Mary in Colonial Athletic Association men's soccer at University Park on Wednesday night.

The Dukes (3-6-4, 2-1-2 CAA) controlled the tempo of the game, leading the Tribe (4-6-2, 1-4 CAA) 16-11 in shots and 5-4 in corner kick opportunities. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Kyle Morton also controlled the box, tallying five saves compared to William and Mary's two.

Trailing by one after a Tribe score at the 9:57 mark, the Dukes became more aggressive on offense as they looked for an equalizing goal, which they found in the 26th minute. Redshirt sophomore defender Toby Appleton advanced forward to aid the attack, stripped a William and Mary defender of the ball and found enough space to fire a shot from 20 yards out that sailed over the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper for his second score of the season.

The game remained tied at halftime and beyond, but the equalizing goal gave the Dukes confidence to continue their attack. The go-ahead goal finally came in the 60th minute when JMU earned a corner kick. Freshman midfielder Thomas Shores stepped up and sent a right-footed cross into the box where he connected with senior defender Bjarki Aðalsteinsson for the header goal.

Redshirt Junior Connor Coward gave the Dukes an insurance goal in the 68th minute when senior forward Eric Schmidt played him into the box for a tight-angled shot past the leaping goalkeeper.

The Dukes return to action on Saturday, Oct. 17, when they travel south to take on Colonial Athletic Association foe Elon at 7 p.m.

DUKES IN THE CAA
With tonight's win, the Dukes now rank third in the CAA with a conference record of 2-1-2. Only Hofstra (10-3, 5-0) and Elon (10-2, 3-1) sit ahead of JMU with games against both teams still to come.

HIGHLIGHTS

TWEET OF THE NIGHT

Out here watching @JMUMSoccer take on William & Mary #GoDukes #DukesSupportDukes pic.twitter.com/3uNQcL4txd
— Blaine Stewart (@BlaineStewart12) October 14, 2015

COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a great game and I thought it was a great response from the guys to go down a goal in the first half, make some adjustments and then implement those adjustments," noted head coach Tom Foley. "We also had to withstand an offensive barrage from William & Mary, but the defense held strong."

NOTEWORTHY
With three goals scored tonight, the Dukes have scored at least two goals in three of their last five games and have a record of 3-1-3 in their last seven.