Goal from Fernández Almagro Pushes Unbeaten Streak to Seven for JMU

Thursday, October 5

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

6-2-5, 3-0-2

ULM

7-2-4, 2-1-2

ULM

James Madison

Goal from Fernández Almagro Pushes Unbeaten Streak to Seven for JMU

10/5/2023 10:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A fourth minute goal from ULM put James Madison women's soccer in an early hole, but a second half goal from senior Alba Fernández Almagro gave the Dukes a 1-1 draw on Thursday evening at Sentara Park to push their unbeaten streak to seven.

The Dukes are 4-0-3 during the streak and moved to 6-2-5 overall and 3-0-2 in Sun Belt Conference play, while the Warhawks moved to 7-2-4, 2-1-2 SBC.

Fernández Almagro scored her second goal of the year, as juniors Shea Collins and Sophia Verrecchia led the team with two shots. Redshirt senior Alexandra Blom spent the full 90 minutes in goal and made a pair of saves.

How It Happened

ULM scored in the fourth minute on a laser from 30 yards out off the boot of Lena Goppel that found the back of the top right corner of the goal.
The Warhawks added another two shots inside the opening 10 minutes as they outshot the Dukes 5-3 in the opening half.
Shots from senior Sammie Sipes and Verrecchia were both saved in the 42^nd and 45^th minutes, respectively.
The Dukes got on the board in the 51^st minute as Fernández Almagro stole a ULM throw in and passed to junior Amanda Attanasi who crossed the ball to redshirt senior Suwaiabtu Mohammed at the top of the 18-foot box. Mohammed sent a short pass behind her to Fernández Almagro who sent the ball into the top of the goal to equalize.
JMU has an opportunity to take the lead in the 69^th minute on a shot from redshirt senior Ellie Johnson, but her shot would deflect off the crossbar. Verrecchia gathered the rebound and had a look on the goal, but her shot would sail wide.
The halftime break woke the Dukes up, outshooting ULM 6-2 in the second half and not allowing a shot from the visitors in the final 16:15 of the match.

Quick Facts

The assist for Suwaibatu Mohammed made it five straight matches scoring a point, the longest such streak for a Duke since Ashley Herndon set the program record at 10 from 2014-15.
The Dukes are now unbeaten in their last 11 home matches, going 8-0-3 in that stretch.
JMU is now 11-2-5 against Sun Belt opponents in regular season and tournament play. It has a +23 goal differential, outscoring opponents 33-10.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"That was a fantastic game that pushed us to raise our level. Credit to ULM, they have a good team and are well coached. That kind of game will help us in postseason knowing we can dig deep."

Up Next
JMU will travel to Norfolk on Sunday, Oct. 8 to face reigning Sun Belt champ Old Dominion in a rematch of last season's Sun Belt Tournament Championship. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.