Erhardt’s Penalty Kick and Bush's 27th Shutout Lead Dukes to Win Over Elon

Sunday, March 21

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

2-0-1, 1-0-0

Elon

1-4-0, 0-2-0

Elon

James Madison

Erhardt’s Penalty Kick and Bush's 27th Shutout Lead Dukes to Win Over Elon

3/21/2021 5:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Junior Luca Erhardt capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity in the 52^nd minute and redshirt senior TJ Bush record his record-breaking 27th career shutout, as the Dukes opened up Colonial Athletic Association play with a 1-0 victory over Elon on Sunday afternoon at Sentara Park.

The Dukes move to 2-0-1, 1-0 CAA, while the Phoenix drop to 1-4, 0-2 CAA.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The game opened up with a tightly contested first half. There were four fouls called in the first three and a half minutes, with Elon taking the first shot of the game in the ninth minute which Bush made a diving save to keep the 0-0 game. In the 18^th minute, the Dukes had their first shot opportunity get saved as Max Poelker attempted a header off a corner kick. The two teams attempted two shots each for the remainder of the half, entering the half scoreless.

The Dukes didn't waste much time in the second half to take the lead, as an Elon foul inside the 18-foot box gave JMU a penalty kick opportunity. Erhardt stepped up to take the shot, and sent it into the back of the net to give JMU a 1-0 lead in the 52^nd minute. Elon attempted to respond with a shot a minute later, but Bush picked up his third of four saves on the day.

Elon continued to press the Dukes defense, kicking two of their four second half corner kicks within five minutes of the JMU goal. The Dukes defense though locked down afterwards, only allowing two shots and one corner kick within the final twenty minutes of the game to secure the 1-0 victory.

GAME NOTES

The Dukes outshot the Phoenix 10-6.
This was the third straight clean sheet JMU has produced.
The last Duke to score on a penalty kick was Manuel Ferriol against Hofstra in the 2019 CAA Semifinals.

QUOTING HEAD COACH PAUL ZAZENSKI
"Today was a tough and physical CAA game and we expected that to be the case. Our offensive output wasn't great, but we came up with a shutout defensively which was a positive takeaway. Glad we could get a result and move onto preparing for Charleston."

UP NEXT
The Dukes head to the road and will travel to take on College of Charleston on Saturday, March 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.