Two Dukes Score as JMU Blank Kansas City

Sunday, August 29

Harrisonburg, Va.

10:30 a.m.

James Madison University

1-1-0, 0-0-0

Kansas City

0-1-1, 0-0-0

Kansas City

Dukes

8/29/2021 4:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Midfielder Clay Obara opened up scoring in the 13^th minute and forward Luca Erhardt supplied an insurance goal as James Madison blanked Kansas City, 2-0, on Sunday morning at Sentara Park to wrap up the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational.

The win moves JMU to 1-1, as Kansas City falls to 0-1-1.

Both teams started out slow during the early part of the contest, as a corner kick from JMU and a wide shot from Kansas City was all the show for the first 10 minutes. Ethan Taylor then got the pressure mounted on Kansas City taking a shot that was saved in the 12^th minute. A minute later Obara would find the back of the net on a shot that came from a cross pass by Rodrigo Robles.

The Dukes would continue to put pressure on the Roos' defense for the remainder of the half, out shooting Kansas City 5-2 after the Obara goal, but Clark Cooper held his ground as the Roos' goalkeeper. The teams would head into the locker room with JMU leading 1-0.

Once the second half began, JMU wasted little time picking back up where they left off at in the first half, as Taylor's shot was saved 47 seconds into the second half. The Dukes then got off a set of three consecutive shots over a three minute span before an offsides call on Kansas City would set up a free kick. The free kick set the Dukes up to race down the field, where in the 54^th minute, Erhardt tapped in his first goal of the season to put JMU up 2-0. Robles was credited with his second assist of the morning.

The barrage of shots continued for the Dukes, who pressed the Kansas City defense one kick after another. JMU had a chance in the 87^th minute to add another goal, but a Kansas City save just in front of the net denied a three going on the scoreboard. The Dukes' defense remained firm during this time, only allowing four shots and a corner kick as the game ended, 2-0 in favor of the hosts. Martin Leu capitalized by picking up his first shutout in a JMU jersey.

Game Notes

The Dukes outshot Kansas City 19-9, and put nine of their 19 shots on goal.
Ethan Taylor and Clay Obara both took three shots on goal.
Rodrigo Robles recorded two assists, the first Duke to do so since Manuel Ferriol did so on Sept. 28, 2019 against Drexel.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"It was nice to create some opportunities today and keep a shutout. Kansas City was in it the entire match and tested us a few times for sure. Overall, it was just a good to finish out the weekend with a win against a good team"

Up Next
The Dukes are off for the week before they head to Newark, N.J. to take on NJIT on Saturday, Sept. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.