Ward-Baptiste Leads Dukes to 1-1 Draw with Georgia Southern

Friday, September 9

Statesboro, Ga.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

0-4-1

Georgia Southern

2-2-1

OT 3

OT 4

James Madison

Georgia Southern

Ward-Baptiste Leads Dukes to 1-1 Draw with Georgia Southern

9/9/2016 7:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score @JMUMSoccer 2016 Schedule/Results 2016 Roster

STATESBORO, Ga. – Sophomore forward Aaron Ward-Baptiste's first goal of the season helped James Madison men's soccer earn a 1-1 draw in double overtime at Georgia Southern on Friday afternoon.

The goal came in the 36th minute when redshirt sophomore midfielder Billy Metzler played a short corner to freshman midfielder Tim Estermann, who sent in a cross that Ward-Baptiste headed into the net.

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Kyle Morton saved his second penalty kick of the season to keep the score at 1-0 going into halftime. Georgia Southern's Emil Laursen stepped up to take the spot kick with no time on the clock, but Morton dove low to the right and denied him.

The Eagles tied the game in the 49th minute with a goal by Rasmus Juul off a corner kick.

The overtime periods were frantic, with JMU holding the better chances. Redshirt junior defender Toby Appleton hit a dipping shot that went just high with three minutes left and, in the final minute of play, Ward-Baptiste knocked a header towards goal that was saved.

Georgia Southern outshot JMU 17-10, but the Dukes held the advantage in shots on goal by a 7-5 margin.

QUOTING COACH FOLEY
"It was a hard-fought, physical game by both teams. We got to use a lot of players off the bench and everybody contributed for us. I thought we were the better team and was pleased with how we controlled the overtime. We just couldn't find the final scoring touch."

BREAKING THROUGH
Ward-Baptiste came into the game leading the Dukes with nine shots through four games, but hadn't found the net. On Friday, he tallied a game-high three shots, all on goal, and his second career goal. His first tally came in the 3-2 win over College of Charleston in last year's CAA Quarterfinals.

HELPING HANDS
Estermann recorded his first collegiate point when his cross found Ward-Baptiste for a goal in the first half. Metzler's secondary assist was his second of the year, which now leads the team.

UP NEXT
JMU returns to Sentara Park to face the La Salle Explorers on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. It will be "International Night" in conjunction with the Office of International Programs, JMU men's soccer's season-presenting sponsor.