JMU Can't Hold Off No. 11 Elon in 2-1 Loss

Saturday, October 17

Elon, N.C.

8 p.m.

James Madison University

3-7-4 (2-2-2CAA)

Elon

12-2-0 (5-1CAA)

James Madison

Elon

10/17/2015 9:56:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – James Madison men's soccer fell to No. 11 Elon 2-1 in a Colonial Athletic Association match at Rudd Field on Saturday night.

Following a stretch of back-and-forth play in the second half, the Phoenix took the lead for good in the 82nd minute. Jaiden Fortune collected a deflected pass from teammate Samuel McBride and slotted home the game-winning goal for his fourth of the season.

The Phoenix (12-2, 5-1 CAA) filled the box score with 15 shots, five of which were on goal, and 10 corner kicks. The Dukes (3-7-4, 2-2-2 CAA) were more efficient with their attack, as they landed three of seven shot attempts on goal but only managed to earn one corner.

The Dukes jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. Redshirt freshman Billy Metzler and sophomore Joe Vyner combined to play redshirt junior forward Connor Coward into the box where he smoothly finished to the right of Elon's goalkeeper.

The down by a goal, Elon found an equalizer in the 39^th minute after successfully executing on one of its corner kick opportunities. Eduardo Alvarez curved the corner into the 18-yard box, where he connected with Nathan Diehl for the goal.

Madison returns to the field on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. when it travels to Bethlehem, Pa. for a final non-conference match with Lehigh.

COACH'S QUOTE
"I'm very proud of the guys and the effort they put forth tonight," head coach Tom Foley said. "We've played well against the best teams in the conference, proving that we can play at a high level and tonight was no different."

NOTEWORTHY
After being held without a goal in the first eight games of the season, Connor Coward has slotted home four goals in his last six games. He is now only one goal shy of his career high of five goals scored in a season, set during the 2014 campaign.

DUKES IN THE CAA
With the loss, the Dukes drop to sixth in the Colonial Athletic Association standings, above William & Mary, Drexel and Northeastern. JMU still has two matches in CAA play remaining; Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Delaware and Saturday, Oct. 31^st against Hofstra in the regular season finale.

LOOKING FORWARD
Lehigh leads the all-time series record against the Dukes, 1-0, after the two programs' only meeting on Sept. 21, 2013. The Mountain Hawks currently sit at 2-3-0 in Patriot League play and 7-5-1 overall this season.