Second Half Push by Dukes Leads to Draw with Saint Mary’s

Thursday, August 31

Moraga, Calif.

7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT)

James Madison University

2-1-2, 0-0-0

Saint Mary's

2-2-1, 0-0-0

James Madison

Saint Mary's (CA)

Second Half Push by Dukes Leads to Draw with Saint Mary’s

8/31/2023 9:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. – Despite trailing at half, James Madison women's soccer put together a second half push to draw with Saint Mary's, 1-1, on Thursday afternoon in non-conference action at Saint Mary's Stadium.

The Dukes moved to 2-1-2 while the Gaels earned their first draw of the season and made their record 2-2-1.

Junior Shea Collins netted the goal for the Dukes while also leading the attack with a three of the seven JMU shots. Redshirt senior Alexandra Blom spent all 90 minutes in goal and made a pair of saves.

How It Happened

The Gaels had the first chances of the match, putting a pair of shots on frame nine seconds between each other in the seventh minute. Blom dropped to the ground to save the first shot in the lower right portion of the net before jumping to the other side of the goal to make the second save.
With 101 seconds remaining in the first half, Saint Mary's was able to break the scoreless draw as Briana Salvetti connected on a header that bounced past Blom into the goal for a 1-0 lead entering halftime.
Redshirt senior Suwaibatu Mohammed had JMU's first shot of the match in the 57^th minute, taking the SMC keeper one-on-one before narrowly missing a goal as the ball rolled wide right.
The Dukes equalized in the 66^th minute after forcing a corner kick. Freshman Jeanette Fieldsend took the corner and placed it in the box where Mohammed headed the ball to Collins who in turn headed the ball herself into the back of the net.
JMU outshot SMC 7-2 in the second half, with Collins having another look on goal in the 80^th minute for the lead that came up saved.
The 83^rd minute bridged into the 84^th minute with a trio of corner kicks by the Dukes with sophomore Jordan Yang's shot requiring a jumping save from Taylor Poland to keep the score intact.

Quick Facts

All nine of JMU's goals this season have been in the second half.
JMU had six offside calls made compared to SMC's two.
Shea Collins has scored twice in the season's first five matches, matching her season total from a year ago.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"I enjoyed the second half and the players' intention in the game. We continue to improve and battle."

Up Next
The Dukes continue their California swing on Sunday, Sept. 3 as they face off against No. 8 Santa Clara at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT with the match being streamed on ESPN+.