Ahlander Provides Heroics in Shootout to Send Dukes to Third Straight Championship Game

Thursday, April 15

Philadelphia, Pa.

12 p.m.

James Madison University

5-0-2

Drexel

6-3-2

James Madison

Drexel

Ahlander Provides Heroics in Shootout to Send Dukes to Third Straight Championship Game

4/15/2021 3:56:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Freshman Axel Ahlander showed why he was named Rookie of the Year, scoring a goal in regulation to tie the game and then scoring the winning penalty kick to give JMU (6-0-2, 4-0 Colonial Athletic Association) an 8-7 win in the shootout over Drexel (6-3-2, 2-1-1 CAA) on Thursday afternoon at Vidas Field in the CAA Semifinals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was a quiet first 10 minutes of action in the first half, with there only being three total shots. Drexel found the back of the net in the 15^th minute though when Chris Donovan volleyed a pass and scored to give Drexel a 1-0 lead. It was the first time all season JMU had been trailing a game, but it didn't last long. Nearly six and a half minutes later, Ahlander knotted the game at one after scoring a header off of a free kick from Yanis Lelin.

The Dukes turned on the pressure between the 25^th and 27^th minutes, taking three shots that were all saved. Drexel responded with their own pressure, putting together two corner kicks and a shot in less than a minute. Both teams wouldn't be able to get much going though as the half ended tied.

Both teams played aggressively once coming out of the locker rooms, totaling up 17 of the 40 fouls in the game in the second half alone. The Dragons looked to taking back the led, firing off six shots in the half before JMU took their first in the 77^th minute. It was all JMU in the last 13 minutes of regulation, taking three more shots and attempting their first four corner kicks of the game, but couldn't score and the game headed to overtime.

Once in overtime, the teams were deadlocked. Neither team was able to get off a shot until less than a minute left in the first overtime period. The second overtime period was the same, as shots were rare, but fouls weren't. Neither team could find an advantage as the game headed to a penalty kick shootout.

The Dragons began, missing their first shot and were followed by a JMU make. The roles were reversed in the second round, as Drexel made theirs and JMU missed. From there it was back and forth, each team making five straight penalty kicks. Drexel missed their seventh shot, but JMU could not take the advantage. Finally, on the 10^th round of shots, Ahlander scored after a Drexel miss to send the Dukes to the championship match.

GAME NOTES

This is the third straight season that JMU has gone to a penalty kick shootout in the CAA Tournament.
Though the two teams tied in shots at 14, the Dukes held a 9-2 shots on goal advantage.
Ethan Taylor took a career-high four shots.
That was only the second goal JMU has allowed all season.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH PAUL ZAZENSKI

"Very proud of the guys for figuring out a way to advance. Drexel was excellent on the day and had a great game plan going in. We look forward to the opportunity to play in the championship game!"

UP NEXT

The Dukes will play the winner of the second CAA Semifinal match, between Hofstra and UNCW, on Saturday, April 17 in the CAA Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Vidas Field and will be broadcasted on FloSports.