Second Half Goal Downs Dukes at No. 25 LMU in NCAA Round of 16

Saturday, November 25

Los Angeles, Calif.

10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)

James Madison University

10-5-5, 4-2-3

LMU

10-4-6, 2-3-2

James Madison

LMU

Second Half Goal Downs Dukes at No. 25 LMU in NCAA Round of 16

11/26/2023 1:22:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

LOS ANGELES – James Madison had multiple chances throughout the match, but a 67^th minute from No. 25 Loyola Marymount downed the Dukes, 1-0, on Saturday night at Sullivan Field in the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship Round of 16.

The Dukes' season ends at 10-5-5 after reaching the round of 16 for the fifth time in program history and the first time since 2018. The Lions will head to the quarterfinals with a 10-4-6 record and face fifth-seeded West Virginia.

Redshirt senior Rodrigo Robles led the JMU attack with four shots, as he was one of four Dukes with multiple shots. Sophomore Sebastian Conlon made four saves in goal.

How It Happened

The Dukes created chances early, being awarded five corner kicks in the opening 15 minutes and put half of their eight shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
LMU had its best try of the first half in the 35^th minute, straight into the hands of Conlon.
The Lions entered the second half with a shot on goal, with Conlon saving it in the 47^th minute.
Robles had a far shot on goal in the 57^th minute that Massimo Oedekoven Pomponi got a fingertip on to set up a JMU corner kick.
The hosts got on the board in the 67^th minute to break the scoreless tie.
JMU had a pair of chances inside of the 18 to equalize where attackers were knocked down, but no penalty was called.
Sophomore Cameron Arnold had a final chance to equalize in the 87^th minute, but had his shot saved.

Quick Facts

The Dukes were held scoreless for just the third time this season.
JMU had advantages in corner kicks (7-1), shots on goal (8-5) and shots (15-10).
The Dukes were shut out in an NCAA Championship match for the first time in nine matches, stemming back to the first round in 2014.
Clay Obara ends his career fourth in games played in a JMU career and his 71 starts fall one shy of the top ten.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"This group has been a special group of players and people to work with all season. It was a tough trip an game for us in more ways than one, but we stuck together in those moments of adversity. We wish the best of luck to LMU as they advance. We also would like to thank our seniors for their fantastic leadership and dedication to the program. Go Dukes."