Women’s Soccer Comes Away Against Coastal Carolina with First Ever Sun Belt Win

Friday, September 16

Conway, S.C.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

5-2-2, 1-0-0

Coastal Carolina

1-5-2, 0-1-0

James Madison

Coastal Carolina

Women’s Soccer Comes Away Against Coastal Carolina with First Ever Sun Belt Win

9/16/2022 9:31:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. – In its first ever Sun Belt Conference match, James Madison women's soccer earned a 1-0 victory over Coastal Carolina behind senior Lidia Nduka's third goal of the season on Friday night at the CCU Soccer Stadium.

The Dukes' victory also comes in the first ever matchup against the Chanticleers, as JMU now moves to 5-2-2, 1-0 SBC while CCU drops to 1-5-2, 0-1 SBC.

Nine players took a shot for JMU in the contest, with sophomore Sophia Verrecchia leading the way with two. Redshirt junior Alexandra Blom started in goal and made three saves, earning her fourth shutout of the season.

How It Happened

The teams split shots 4-4 through the first 45 minutes.
Blom made all three saves in the first half, including a jumping one in the 33^rd minute on Coastal Carolina's best shot of the evening.
In the 55^th minute, Nduka found the back of the net from a pass from sophomore Amanda Attanasi. The reigning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week took the past and was able to beat the CCU keeper and fired the shot in the goal right side of the goal.
The Dukes had opportunities to double their lead in the 58^th and 68^th minutes, but Attanasi and senior Mia Pham had their shots saved.
The defense for JMU was a key part of the victory, not allowing a single shot and only one corner kick in the second half.

Game Notes

The Dukes are now 1-0-2 following a loss this season.
The Sun Belt Conference win is the first ever for any JMU program.
Attanasi eclipse her point total from her freshman campaign, as she now sits at 11 points from four goals and three assists.
JMU extends its streak to 13 consecutive matches without conceding a first half goal.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"Proud of our three points on the road in our first Sun Belt match. Coastal did a great job making it difficult on us in that first half. Great job from our team of adjusting to the spaces that were available in the second half. The midfield wad the difference in controlling the game and we are loving the Nasty and Lidia goal scoring combination!"

Up Next
The Dukes return home as they welcome Old Dominion on Thursday, Sept. 22. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+. It will also be the Commonwealth One Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game.