Second Half Penalty Kick the Difference as Dukes Fall to Virginia Tech

Thursday, September 2

Harrisonburg, Va.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

1-4-0, 0-0-0

Virginia Tech

4-1-0, 0-0-0

Virginia Tech

James Madison

Second Half Penalty Kick the Difference as Dukes Fall to Virginia Tech

9/2/2021 10:55:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Redshirt freshman Lexi Vanderlinden scored her first two goals of her career as equalizers to Virginia Tech's first two goals, but a second half penalty kick goal for the Hokies was the difference maker in the 3-2 contest Thursday afternoon at Sentara Park.

JMU falls to 1-3 while Virginia Tech moves to 3-1.

The Dukes brought the attack to the Hokies to begin the match, taking the first shot off the foot of Amanda Attanasi 1:39 into the first half. Ebony Wiseman got another shot off in the sixth minute before the Hokies were able to fire off their first shot in the eighth minute.

The Hokies then got a pair of shots off in a minute and a half span before taking a shot a few yards out of the box in the 16^th minute that Alexandra Blom was able to get a hand on but would ricochet off the crossbar and into the goal.

Virginia Tech's defense locked down after the goal, not allowing JMU to get much possession over the next near 15 minutes until the Dukes found a stretch of three consecutive throw ins. The final throw in would pay dividends for the Dukes as a header off a Hokie defender landed in front of Vanderlinden who volleyed it into the back of the net to tie the game at one in the 31^st minute.

The Hokies would respond in the 41^st minute, firing a shot off of a free kick into the upper right corner of the goal to take a 2-1 lead that would last into the break.

The two teams would come out of the half playing excellent defense, with neither team giving up more than two shots through the first 15 minutes. Things would change in the 63^rd minute, when once again off a throw in, Vanderlinden would find the goal after a deflected pass from Ellie Johnson to knot the game at two.

Virginia Tech didn't sit quietly for long though, as Emily Gray was fouled inside the box and found pay dirt on her penalty kick to give herself a hat trick and the Hokies a 3-2 lead. The Hokies would hold their back line strong after the penalty kick goal, being able to last the final 25 minutes to keep the victory intact.

Game Notes

The Dukes have taken double digit shots in three of their four matches so far, with their season-low shot total being only eight.
Lexi Vanderlinden scored her first two career assists in the same game, and now her first two career goals in the same game.
Ellie Johnson notched her first career assist on Vanderlinden's second goal.
Alexandra Blom matched her season-high in saves with seven.
The Dukes have had a two-goal scorer in back-to-back games for the first time since 2015 with Allie Bunner followed by Alyssa Zurlo.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"It was a great fight by the girls to come back. We choose to play these top caliber games to test ourselves. We learn so much from these and I believe in this team so much."

Up Next
The Dukes will be back in action on Sunday, September 5 to wrap up the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational by hosting No. 3 Virginia at 3 p.m. The match will be streamed on FloSports.