Tack, Dukes Storm Back for 3-2 Win at East Carolina

Friday, September 2

Greenville, N.C.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

1-4

East Carolina

2-3

James Madison

East Carolina

9/2/2016 4:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score 2016 Schedule @JMUWSoccer

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Two second-half goals and a pair of goals from sophomore forward Christine Tack lifted James Madison women's soccer to a 3-2 comeback victory at East Carolina on Friday afternoon at Johnson Stadium.

The victory, JMU's first of the season, snapped a four-match losing streak and lifted the Dukes to 1-4 on the season. ECU fell to 2-3 with the loss.

Tack notched her first two collegiate goals in the win, pulling the Dukes back from a one-goal deficit on each occasion, before senior forward Ashley Herndon blasted home the game-winner, the 15th of her decorated career. Herndon also assisted on each of Tack's goals to finish the contest with four points of her own.

The Dukes fell behind early, as ECU went up 1-0 on a goal at the 1:08 mark. Tack responded almost immediately, taking a pass from Herndon and slotting home her first career goal to level the match at 1-1 after just 3:27.

ECU capped the early flurry by going back on top in the 11th minute with the final goal of the first half, as Lana Spitler notched her fourth of the season. Tack completed her brace just 91 seconds after the break, following a Dukes' free kick from 25 yards out. After a quick pass from Herndon, Tack finished on a deflection to level things at 2-2.

Herndon completed the comeback in the 57th minute, taking a pass from senior forward Sydney Braun-McLeod and blasting a 30-yard strike into the right side netting to stake the Dukes a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. ECU took four shots in the remaining half-hour, with one hitting the cross bar and one drawing a save, but JMU was able to close out the victory.

The Dukes controlled the stat sheet, taking 14 shots to ECU's 10, including a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Miller made a pair of saves in her first career victory, while ECU goalkeeper Caroline Jeffers tallied three of her own.

QUOTING COACH LOMBARDO
"We showed a lot of grit today. We got down twice and fought through things to earn a hard-fought win. Christine Tack had a breakthrough game for us with her first two goals and Ashley Herndon continued to make a difference with a hand in all three goals."

CLIMBING THE RECORD BOOKS
With her four-point performance, senior forward Ashley Herndon continued her march up JMU's career record lists.

Goals: T-10th, 28 (t-8th, 29: Jamie Dykes, 1991-94; Annie Lowry, 2004-07)
Assists: T-7th, 23 (6th, 24: Cate Tisinger, 2007-10)
Points: 5th, 79 (t-4th, 93: Julie Reule, 1991-94; Teresa Rynier, 2007-10)

UP NEXT
The Dukes stay on the road to close out the weekend, as they travel to Lynchburg, Va. on Sunday, Sept. 4 for a bout at Liberty. The Liberty Flames Sports Network will provide live video coverage for the contest.