Men's Soccer Wins Third Straight CAA Title

Saturday, April 17

Philadelphia, Pa.

12 p.m.

James Madison University

5-0-3

Hofstra

5-2-3

Hofstra

James Madison

4/17/2021 4:36:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - James Madison tallied its sixth shutout in eight matches, then battled to a 4-3 win in penalty kicks over Hofstra to win its third consecutive Colonial Athletic Association Men's Soccer Championship and the eighth title in program history.

The Dukes (5-0-3) controlled the matchup throughout, holding a 20-10 advantage in shots and putting eight on frame to Hofstra's (5-2-3) two, but couldn't find the winner in regulation. JMU controlled possession for vast stretches of the match, racking up 13 corner kicks to match their season high.

Both junior Luca Erhardt and freshman Ethan Taylor racked up five shots to lead the way for the JMU offense, with Taylor putting a match-high three on frame, while senior goalkeeper T.J. Bush needed just two saves to tally his 30th career shutout, already the program record.

After the two teams battled through 110 scoreless minutes, the Dukes needed just the standard five rounds to close out their second shootout in as many matches after Thursday's 10-round marathon.

Alex Krakowiak, Rodrigo Robles, Tyler Clegg and Erhardt all hammered home their penalties as the Pride missed their second, but Hofstra goalkeeper Wessel Speel, who racked up eight saves during the run of play, palmed the Dukes' attempt around the post to open the fifth round. However, Hofstra's fifth shot drilled the crossbar, caroming straight down and kicking out into the box to close out the Dukes' victory.

The shootout was the Dukes' fourth in their last six CAA Tournament matches, all JMU victories as the Dukes captured their third straight title. The three-peat is the second in JMU history after accomplishing the feat from 1992-94. The Dukes' eight championships are now tied with William & Mary for the most in CAA history.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH PAUL ZAZENSKI
"The guys played very well today against a really good Hofstra group. This team is resilient and we found a way to keep advancing - somehow, some way. We are proud of what this group has been able to achieve and giving up just two goals in eight games is certainly a testament to their defensive mentality. It's great to hoist a trophy once again and we look forward to the NCAA Tournament in North Carolina."

UP NEXT
The Dukes have earned the CAA's auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament and will await their first-round matchup and opponent on the NCAA selection show, set to be broadcast on NCAA.com at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 19.