Goal from Verrecchia Sets Up Championship Rematch for Dukes

Friday, November 3

Foley, Ala.

8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

9-3-8, 4-1-5

South Alabama

16-1-3, 8-0-2

James Madison

South Alabama

Goal from Verrecchia Sets Up Championship Rematch for Dukes

11/3/2023 11:49:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

FOLEY, Ala. – A 70^th minute goal from junior Sophia Verrecchia set up a championship rematch for James Madison women's soccer as it advanced past one-seeded South Alabama, 1-0, on Friday night at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex in the Sun Belt Conference Semifinals.

The Dukes improved to 9-3-8 behind their third straight victory, while the Jaguars suffered their first loss of the season and fell to 16-1-3.

Redshirt senior Suwaibatu Mohammed led the attack with three shots. Redshirt senior Alexandra Blom made five saves to record her career-high-tying ninth shutout of the season. She now sits in sixth place in career saves at JMU with 238 and now has 23 solo shutouts in her career, one shy of tying the record.

How It Happened

Neither side had many chances in the opening 45 minutes, as the Jaguars outshot the Dukes 4-3. South Alabama had one shot on goal while JMU had two, with all three saved.
JMU had its best chance of the contest up to that point, as Mohammed got out in front of a pair of USA defenders in the 48^th minute. She fired a shot off, but just barely missed wide.
In the 58^th minute, Blom made a diving stop to keep the match scoreless.
The Dukes finally struck the back of the net, as redshirt junior Lexi Vanderlindan received a pass from sophomore Jordan Yang before dribbling through multiple defenders in the box. She then passed to Verrecchia who scored her second goal of the season, giving JMU the lead in the 70^th minute.
Mohammed nearly added on to the score for the Dukes, but her shot hit the post in the 74^th minute.
Blom made an incredible save with four seconds remaining in the match, as Irene Campo took a shot from inside the box that a diving Blom got a fingertip on to force a corner kick. The ensuing kick was caught by Blom to secure the victory.

Quick Facts

With her 15^th career assist at JMU, Lexi Vanderlinden is now tied for 20^th in program history.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walter, Sr.
"I love this team and their commitment to each other. What a great goal by Sophia and game saving stop by Alex! South Alabama is a quality team and should be an at large in the NCAA. I have a lot of respect for the job they do and quality they have. We are excited to return to the championship game and heat up the rival with our Virginia neighbors."

Up Next
It will be a rematch of the 2022 Sun Belt Championship Match as the Dukes will take on the East Division champion in Old Dominion for the title on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.