Dukes Open up Conference Play with Win Over Drexel

Sunday, September 26

Philadelphia, Pa.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

4-5-1, 1-0-0

Drexel

4-4-1, 0-1-0

James Madison

Drexel

Photo by: JMU

9/26/2021 3:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – James Madison opened up Colonial Athletic Association play with a 1-0 victory over Drexel on Sunday afternoon at Vidas Field.

The Dukes move to 4-5-1, 1-0 while Drexel is now 4-4-1, 0-1.

The match began with JMU jumping on the offensive attack throughout the first half. After Ariana Reyes opened up shooting in the sixth minute, Drexel fired two shots minutes later with Alexandra Blom saving one of them. The Dukes then fired off four shots in a row from four different players, with three of the shots being put on goal but saved.

JMU continued its offensive approach for the remainder of the half, outshooting the Dragons 10-4 during the period, but the teams headed into the locker rooms scoreless.

Drexel began the second half much like the Dukes did, as they were the ones to be aggressive on the offensive front. After only taking four shots in the first half, the Dragons fired off five in the second half. They controlled the tempo through the first 30 minutes of action, but JMU was the team able to strike in the second half.

The Dukes stole the ball in their own defensive half and brought it across midfield where Reyes was able to chip it towards Hannah Coulling where the ball took a bounce over the Dragons defender. Coulling then took a few dribbles before firing a shot outside the box into the upper left corner of the goal to give JMU a 1-0 lead in the 77^th minute.

The Dukes had an opportunity to score again on an Iris Rabot shot in the 86^th minute, but it was just barely stopped on a diving save. Blom recorded seven saves in the match and recorded her third shutout of the season as the Dukes held on for the 1-0 conference-opening win.

Game Notes

The Dukes outshot the Dragons, 16-11, and put eight of their shots on goal.
Alexandra Blom made five of her seven saves in the second half.
Hannah Coulling has now tied her single-season career-high for goals.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"Starting conference off with a shutout win on the road is a coach's dream. And what an amazing goal by our senior captain Hannah Coulling. Now we set our sites on the big match up with Hofstra next Sunday."

Up Next
The Dukes have the week off before returning home to welcome nationally ranked Hofstra to Sentara Park on Sunday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.