Dukes Take Down No. 1 UCF to Extend Win Streak to Four

Tuesday, October 31

Orlando, Fla.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

8-3-5, 4-2-3

UCF

10-2-2, 6-2-1

James Madison

UCF

10/31/2023 10:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. – A pair of second half goals from redshirt senior Rodrigo Robles and sophomore Cameron Arnold helped James Madison men's soccer take down No. 1 UCF, 2-1, on Tuesday evening at the UCF Soccer Complex and extend its win streak to four.

The win marks the first time JMU has defeated the top team in the nation since taking down Wake Forest on Sept. 17, 2019.

In addition to extending their win streak, the Dukes remained unbeaten in their last seven matches as they sit with an overall record of 8-3-5 and 4-2-3 in Sun Belt Conference play. The Knights had their six-match win streak snapped and dropped to 10-2-2, 6-2-1 SBC.

Leading the attack for JMU was redshirt junior Evan Southern with four shots. Sophomore Sebastian Conlon made five saves in goal.

How It Happened

UCF took the lead early in the match, scoring in the seventh minute.
After a foul by UCF in the box in the 21^st minute, the Dukes were awarded a penalty kick. Redshirt senior Clay Obara stepped to take the shot, utilizing a slow walk up, before hitting the post.
JMU had what seemed like a second chance at a penalty kick in the 29^th minute, but a handball by UCF was ruled incidental contact and play continued.
In the 39^th minute, Obara stole the ball from the Knights in the attacking half of JMU and passed to Arnold who heel kicked it back to Obara. The Virginia Beach, Va. native then dribbled near the backline and tried a shot that would hit off the crossbar.
An exciting 45^th minute saw both sides have a chance to score. With 33 seconds left, Obara's shot off a free kick 21 yards out was saved by Juanvi Muoz. UCF then had an opportunity with four seconds remaining, but Conlon made the save.
The Dukes equalized in the 72^nd minute, as junior Enrique Garcia Barelles sent a service down to sophomore Kevin Larrson who headed it over to Robles in front of the 18-yard box. Robles just needed one touch to send the ball into the back of the net.
With just over two minutes remaining in the match, JMU took the lead as Larsson sent a through ball to Arnold who found the back of the net in the middle of the box.

Quick Facts

The Dukes are 2-2 in the past five seasons playing against number one sides in the country.
UCF had a 7-1 advantage on corner kicks in the first half.
Rodrigo Robles has now recorded a point in four consecutive matches, scoring a combined 10 points.
JMU and UCF tied on shots at 13 each.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"The response from the guys tonight was as good as it gets. We went down early in the match and were outplayed in the first half. At halftime the guys still believed and were able to stay on the front foot and create. It doesn't get any better than beating the number one ranked team in the country away in the last regular season game. With that being said, we know the Sun Belt tournament will be as tough as it gets. Couldn't be prouder of this group for finishing off the regular season the way we do. Go Dukes!"

Up Next
The Dukes will head to Huntington, W.Va. for the Sun Belt Quarterfinals, as they will take on fifth-seeded Kentucky on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at Hoops Family Field. The winner will take on the winner of one-seeded and fourth-ranked Marshall and eighth-seeded Old Dominion in the Sun Belt Semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Hoops Family Field. As a top-two seed, Marshall will host the quarterfinals and semifinals.