Arnold’s Second Half Goal the Difference Maker in JMU Victory Over NC State

Tuesday, September 13

Raleigh, N.C.

8 p.m.

James Madison University

2-3-0, 0-0-0

NC State

2-2-1, 0-1-0

James Madison

NC State

Arnold’s Second Half Goal the Difference Maker in JMU Victory Over NC State

9/13/2022 11:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – James Madison freshman Cameron Arnold broke a scoreless tie in the 73^rd minute to lead the Dukes to a 1-0 victory over NC State in non-conference men's soccer action on Tuesday night at Dail Soccer Field.

The Dukes move to 2-3 on the season and snap a three-match losing streak, increasing their record to 5-4-1 in the last 10 matches against ACC foes. The Wolfpack fall to 2-2-1.

Redshirt junior Rodrigo Robles led the Dukes with three shots and was followed by Arnold's two shots. Freshman Sebastian Conlon made two saves in goal and earned his first collegiate shutout.

How It Happened

Robles began the offensive press in the sixth minute, just missing a goal as his header went right over the crossbar.
Luke Hill took a through ball and beat a JMU defender to have a good looking angled shot at the goal, but Conlon came up with a big save in the 33^rd minute.
Minutes late, senior Dennis Mensah and redshirt sophomore Chay Strine sent shots at the net 23 seconds between each other, but neither came out with the wanted result.
Arnold and classmate Kevin Larsson both fired shots in the 47^th and 49^th minutes, respectively, with both being saved.
In the 73^rd minute, Larsson and Arnold went on a run on the NC State half of the field. Larsson shot a short pass to Arnold before the Nettetal, Germany native hammered home the goal from outside the six-foot box.
Redshirt sophomore Josiah Blanton was key in holding the Wolfpack off the scoreboard, coming up big in the 79^th minute as he blocked a shot from a wide open Junior Nare.

Game Notes

Both of Larsson's assists this season have come on both of Arnold's goals.
The Dukes snapped a three-match winless streak against the Wolfpack, earning their first win since 1998 in the seven match all-time series.
NC State did not attempt a corner kick in the second half.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"I'm super proud of the guys. I think we battled; the training sessions leading up to this were beneficial and I think the guys responded. We were able to keep a shutout, which is most important, and we were able to get that late goal in the second half to see off the game."

Up Next
The Dukes open up Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 17 as they welcome Georgia State to Sentara Park. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. and it will be streamed on ESPN+.