Dukes Take Down Coastal Carolina in Regular Season Finale to Clinch Fifth Seed in Sun Belt Championship

Thursday, October 26

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

7-3-8, 4-1-5

Coastal Carolina

3-12-2, 0-8-2

Coastal Carolina

James Madison

Dukes Take Down Coastal Carolina in Regular Season Finale to Clinch Fifth Seed in Sun Belt Championship

10/26/2023 11:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's soccer controlled the possession and rarely allowed the ball to travel into its defensive half of the pitch as it closed out its regular season with a 1-0 victory over Coastal Carolina at Sentara Park on Thursday night to clinch the fifth seed in the Sun Belt Conference Championship.

The Dukes improved to 7-3-8, 4-1-5 SBC while the Chanticleers ended their season at 3-12-2, 0-8-2 SBC. JMU has earned 17 conference points to tie ULM, earning the fifth seed by a goal differential tiebreaker.

Redshirt senior Suwaibatu Mohammed provided the scoring for JMU, one of three Dukes to fire at least four shots. Junior Shea Collins led the way, putting four of her career-high five shots on goal. Redshirt senior Alexandra Blom recorded one save in goal and moved into sole possession of solo shutouts for a JMU career with her 22^nd.

How It Happened

JMU outshot Coastal 13-0 in the first half, putting five shots on goal with another two going off the post.
Collins and junior Amanda Attanasi both had a pair of shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes and were joined by senior London Lewis.
In the 38^th minute for Collins and the 45^th minute for sophomore Jamie Swartz, the post would deny both of goal scoring opportunities.
CCU took their first shot of the match in the 51^st minute, missing wide.
The Dukes continued to keep the ball in their attacking half, peppering Vivienne Carr in goal.
Mohammed got on the score sheet in the 70^th minute, taking a pass from freshman Jeanette Fieldsend outside the box before dribbling in through the middle of the box to find an open lane for the far top corner to give JMU the lead.
Coastal had its lone opportunity to equalize in the 84^th minute on a shot from Rocio Fernandez, but Blom was in front to make the save.

Quick Facts

The 19 shots taken by JMU are a season-high and the most since taking 21 shots against ECU on Sept. 19, 2021.
JMU is now 2-0-2 following a loss.
The three shots allowed by the JMU defense is the least allowed since giving up two against Ohio on Sept. 10 this season.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"You have to love a storybook ending for Swiss in her last game at Sentara Park to score the game winner. So proud of the team and the level they played at tonight."

Up Next
The Dukes will take on fourth-seeded App State in the Sun Belt Quarterfinals on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Foley Sports Complex in Foley, Ala. The match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT/ 7:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ESPN+. Earlier this season, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw.