JMU Holds On For 3-2 Victory Over Delaware

Friday, October 2

Newark, Del.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

8-4, 2-0CAA

Delaware

5-6-1, 0-2-1CAA

James Madison

Delaware

10/2/2015 9:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – James Madison scored three consecutive goals and held off a late rally to top Delaware 3-2 in Colonial Athletic Association women's soccer action Friday night at Stuart and Suzanne Grant Stadium.

Junior Ashley Herndon led the Dukes attack with a goal and assist, which included the eventual game-winning score in the second half. Senior midfielder Rachel Ivey and junior midfielder Allie Bunner also found the back of the net to move JMU's record to 8-4 overall and 2-0 in CAA play.

The Blue Hens (5-6-1, 0-2-1 CAA) outshot the Dukes 13-12, including 10-6 on goal, but redshirt senior goalkeeper Ellen Forrest made a season-best eight saves to pick up her eighth win of the season and the 32nd of her career. It also marked the fifth straight game in the series at UD that JMU picked up points in the conference standings, as it is 3-0-2 in Newark since 2007.

The Dukes took a 2-0 lead in first half off goals separated by less than three minutes apart. Ivey opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a shot from 20 yards out that soared into the top left corner of the net for her second goal of the year. In the 38th minute, a foul just outside the box gave Herndon a free-kick opportunity, which she whipped into the box to a waiting Bunner, who put home her seventh goal of the season.

Jumping ahead to the second half, JMU extended its lead to 3-0 in the 64th minute when Herndon scored her eighth goal of 2015 from a shot 16 yards out that deflected in. Her tally would be the eventual game-winning score, the fifth time she's recorded the decisive goal.

The Blue Hens managed to pull to within one at 3-2 with back-to-back goals in the 75th and 86th minutes with goals from leading-scorer Natalie Zelenky and Krista Trinidad, who assisted on the hosts' first score. Delaware goalkeeper Kelsey O'Donnell took the loss after making just three saves on six shots faced.

The Dukes return to action on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. when they travel to Philadelphia to battle CAA foe Drexel.

NOTEWORTHY
Bunner and Herndon have both recorded a point in seven of James Madison's 12 games this season. The Dukes have a record of 5-2 in those games.

RISING THE RECORD BOARDS
With a goal and an assist in tonight's game, Ashley Herndon joins the "20-20" club with 20 career goals and 20 career assists in 53 games. She now sits alone in 14th on the all-time career goals scored list, passing Teri Joyce and former teammate Katie Hyland. Herndon also ties Keri Joyce for ninth on the all-time career assists list.

COACH'S QUOTE
"We played a great first half," head coach David Lombardo said. "Give credit to Delaware for making an adjustment and fighting their way back into the game, but I really thought Ellen [Forrest] was the difference for us."

NEXT UP
Drexel will take on the Dukes at 2 p.m. Sunday following its 3-1 victory over Towson Friday night.