JMU Clinches CAA Tournament Berth With 2-0 Win Over #17 Hofstra

Saturday, October 31

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

4-9-4 (3-3-2CAA)

Hofstra

11-7 (6-2CAA)

Hofstra

James Madison

JMU Clinches CAA Tournament Berth With 2-0 Win Over #17 Hofstra

10/31/2015 9:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Two goals in the first 23 minutes of play were all the James Madison men's soccer team needed Saturday night to defeat No. 17 Hofstra 2-0 at University Park and clinch a berth in the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.

The Dukes played with a hightened sense of energy from the start, controlling possession and earning quality chances in Hofstra's third of the field. Their efforts paid dividends in the seventh minute following a foul on the Pride, which allowed senior defender Daniel Roppert to fire a shot from 25 yards out on the ensuing free kick. Though his shot was saved, the deflected ball took a favorable bounce right to senior forward Eric Schmidt, and he buried the ball into the back of the net on his senior night.

Redshirt junior forward Connor Coward put the game away in the 23rd minute. A perfectly placed ball over the top by redshirt sophomore Toby Appleton allowed Coward to get behind the Hofstra back line and fire a right-footed strike past senior goalkeeper Patric Pray to double the JMU lead. James Madison senior goalkeeper Kyle Morton made seven saves in the contest, his second-highest save total in a game this season, to keep the Pride scoreless.

The game remained even on the score sheet as JMU (4-9-4, 3-3-2 CAA) narrowly led the Pride in shots (13-12) while both teams put seven shots on goal. Hofstra (11-7, 6-2 CAA) found its edge in corner kick opportunities, earning 12 chances compared to JMU's three.

With tonight's results elsewhere in the conference, the Dukes have earned the fifth seed in the CAA tournament and will travel to fourth-seeded College of Charleston on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the quarterfinals. Start time is still to be determined.

PHOTO OF THE GAME
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Pictured above: Eric Schmidt rears back to fire in the go-ahead goal in the seventh minute.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Three of the four seniors honored prior to tonight's game played huge roles in the win. Daniel Roppert assisted on the goal-ahead goal which was scored by Eric Schmidt. Senior defender Bjarki Aðalsteinsson was rock-solid in the center of the Dukes' back line, helping the team earn its fourth clean sheet of the season.

COACH'S QUOTE
"I think guys made great decisions tonight. The work rate and effort was fantastic from everyone who played," said head coach Tom Foley. "We should enjoy this match tonight because the team worked hard for it. We'll prepare for whatever team we face next, but we will enjoy this win tonight."

LOOKING AHEAD
JMU has already made the trip to Charleston, S.C. once this season on Oct. 10. The match ended in a 0-0 tie following double-overtime. CofC will enter the quarterfinals coming off of a 1-0 double-overtime loss to No. 21 Elon on Saturday night.

CAA TOURNAMENT SEEDING
No. 1 Hofstra
No. 2 Elon
No. 3 Delaware
No. 4 College of Charleston
No. 5 James Madison
No. 6 UNCW