Dukes Pick Up 2-1 Win Over Liberty

Thursday, September 14

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

5-3

Liberty

2-5-2

Liberty

James Madison

9/14/2017 11:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score 2017 Statistics @JMUWSoccer JMUWS on Instagram Box Score Photo Gallery Video Recap

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Junior Christine Tack and freshman Ginger Deel each scored on Thursday night to power James Madison to a 2-1 win over Liberty in non-conference women's soccer action at Sentara Park. The Dukes improved to 5-3 with the victory, while Liberty fell to 2-5-2.

JMU controlled the match throughout, outshooting the Flames by a 13-7 margin, including a 7-1 gap in the opening half, while holding Liberty without a shot on goal until the 85th minute. Tack added an assist on Deel's goal, while eight different players notched at least a shot for the Dukes.

HOW THEY SCORED
JMU
20' | Tack opened the scoring after a lengthy period of offense for the Dukes, corralling a cross from sophomore Haley Crawford, fighting off a defender and finishing from just six yards out to make it 1-0.
64' | Deel provided the game-winner just after the hour mark, picking up a bouncing pass from Tack and burying a shot inside the near post to open her collegiate scoring account and put the Dukes up, 2-0.
Liberty
85' | Abigail Persson halved the Flames' deficit in the closing minutes when she capitalized on a JMU defensive mistake at the top of the box. Persson took a touch into space and finish on an empty net to cut the Dukes' lead to 2-1 with 5:12 to play.

VIDEO RECAP

MATCH NOTES
- The JMU defense was stout again on Thursday, holding the Flames to chances from long range and tight angles. Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Miller did not need to record a save in the victory.
- Sophomore Haley Crawford notched an assist on Thursday, giving her at least one point in six of JMU's eight matches this season.
- With the Dukes' 13 shots on Thursday, JMU has tallied double-digit shots in all but one match in 2017: a 3-1 victory over Villanova in which it had nine shots. Dating back to 2016, the Dukes have posted double-digit shots in 23 of their last 24 matches.

PHOTO OF THE MATCH | COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY

Freshman Ginger Deel buries the eventual game-winner in Thursday night's win, putting home a cross from junior Christine Tack to put the Dukes up, 2-0.

QUOTING COACH LOMBARDO
"I thought the team played a very complete game tonight. We came out fast in the first half and pressed for a goal. Christine Tack had a great night with a goal and an assist and it was fun to watch Ginger Deel get her first career start and goal. Liberty did a great job of battling back in the second half, but we responded well and killed the game off to secure the win."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will remain at home over the weekend, closing their non-conference slate with a home bout against George Washington at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. The Colonials downed Delaware State, 4-1, on Thursday to extend their winning streak to four matches.

Live audio coverage will be provided on MadiZone HD SportsNet presented by the JMU Alumni Association.