Career Day for Taylor Pushes Dukes Past Cougars

Saturday, March 27

Charleston, S.C.

12 p.m.

James Madison University

3-0-1, 2-0-0

College of Charleston

0-3-3, 0-2-1

James Madison

Col. of Charleston

Photo by: JMU

3/27/2021 2:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The James Madison men's soccer team took home a 2-1 victory over the College of Charleston behind Ethan Taylor's career day on Saturday afternoon at Ralph Lundy Field at Patriots Point.

The win moved the Dukes to 3-0-1 and 2-0 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Cougars dropped to 0-3-3, 0-2-1 CAA.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Dukes came out the gates aggressive, putting three shots up in a 45 second window in the fourth minute. Forward Luca Erhardt found two more shots in the 11^th and 25^th minute, but neither could find the back of the net. The Cougars picked up the pace towards the end of the half, taking their first shot of the game in the 32^nd minute, followed by two more in the coming minutes.

The Dukes were able to get on the board first in the 38^th minute, as a shot by Steve Foss was saved and set up the Dukes for their third corner of the game. Taylor was able to find the back of the net moments later for his first career goal to give JMU a 2-1 lead into halftime.

The first part of the second half started out slow, with only one shot between the two teams within the first 20 minutes and only two corner kicks. Charleston turned the heat on in the 72^nd minute by scoring a goal, tying the game at one apiece. That tie didn't hold up for long though, as Taylor scored his second goal of the game 48 seconds later to give the Dukes the lead back, 2-1.

The Dukes' defense found their groove as they held Charleston quiet for the next 16 minutes. The Cougars had two final shots within the last three minutes of the game, but the first went high and the second was saved by goalkeeper TJ Bush. The final whistle was blown soon after the save for a 2-1 JMU win. Bush spent all 90 minutes in goal for the Dukes and had two saves.

GAME NOTES

The eight first half shots tied a season-high for JMU.
The Charleston goal ended a 370:22 scoreless stretch the Dukes had maintained, stemming back to the 2019 season.
JMU outshot Charleston 10-7, and had a 4-3 advantage on shots on goal.
With the win, head coach Paul Zazenski is now one away from 100 for a career.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH PAUL ZAZENSKI
"Today was a difficult road test for us on a hot day. Our response to getting scored on was great and that was a testament to our leaders who pulled us through that difficult moment. We are proud of the guys for finding a way to win."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will have a short week, as they stay on the road and head to Williamsburg, Va. to take on William & Mary on Friday, April 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.