JMU Falls 3-1 to #12 Virginia

Monday, September 5

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

0-4-0

Virginia

2-0-1

Virginia

James Madison

9/5/2016 10:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score @JMUMSoccer 2016 Schedule/Results

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Two first-half goals pushed #12 Virginia past James Madison men's soccer 3-1 in front of 1,317 fans Monday night at Sentara Park.

The Cavaliers improved to 2-0-1 on the year while JMU's season mark fell to 0-4-0. The attendance was the highest home total for the men's soccer since 1,531 people saw JMU defeat #1 North Carolina 1-0 on Sept. 11, 2012.

Redshirt junior defender Toby Appleton scored his first goal of the season in the 89th minute, burying a penalty kick in the top left corner. Freshman forward Ben Dao had drawn the penalty after Virginia goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell collided with him going for a cross.

The Dukes held tight with the Cavaliers, equaling them in shots (9-9) and trailing slightly in shots on goal (7-6).

However, the quickness of Virginia forward Edward Okopu caused problems for the JMU back line. He put away his own rebound on a breakaway to start the scoring in the 21st minute, then registered an assist with a pass from the end line on Pablo Aguilar's 58th minute goal to put Virginia up 3-0. Sergi Nus scored a penalty for the Cavaliers in the 40th minute to give Virginia a 2-0 lead.

Freshman defender Brandon Clegg nearly pulled one back for JMU at the end of the first half. The newcomer from Manassas, Va., ripped a shot from 30 yards away that tailed away from Caldwell, drawing a diving save.

PHOTO OF THE GAME
Billy Metzler runs past a Virginia defender. See the full gallery here.
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TWEET OF THE GAME

Easily the best attended soccer game I've ever been to. @JMUMSoccer hosting UVA. @JMUSports @WHSVChanning pic.twitter.com/Gvk8eONTQs
— David DeGuzman (@ddeguzmanWHSV) September 5, 2016

QUOTING COACH FOLEY
"We were looking forward to this match, it was a great crowd. We like the support we had from the university and the community for this game. We have to get back to the drawing board a bit and put together a good side to play against Georgia Southern."

UP NEXT
The Dukes head south for their second road game of the young season, facing off against Georgia Southern on Friday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. The Eagles are 2-2-0, most recently falling 3-0 to Jacksonville on Monday night.