Sun Belt Play Begins with Win for Dukes at Arkansas State

Friday, September 15

Jonesboro, Ark.

4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

4-2-3, 1-0-0

Arkansas State

2-4-1, 0-1-0

James Madison

Arkansas State

Sun Belt Play Begins with Win for Dukes at Arkansas State

9/15/2023 7:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. – James Madison women's soccer began Sun Belt Conference play by using a goal in each half to down Arkansas State, 2-0, on Friday afternoon at A-State Soccer Park.

The Dukes improved to 4-2-3, 1-0 SBC, while the Red Wolves dropped to 2-4-1, 0-1 SBC. JMU won its third consecutive conference opener and have not lost a conference opener during a fall season since 2016.

Redshirt senior Suwaibatu Mohammed netted the first goal in the 29^th minute, followed by junior Amanda Attanasi's goal in the 81^st minute. Redshirt senior Alexandra Blom spent the full 90 minutes in goal, making two saves and recording her fourth shutout of the season and third consecutive.

How It Happened

Both sides started out slow with neither team getting a shot off until the 15^th minute.
The Dukes used a flurry of shots in the 15^th, 16^th and 18^th minutes from Attanasi redshirt senior Ellie Johnson and junior Shea Collins.
Arkansas State had a pair of shots blocked in the 20^th minute, resulting in a corner kick. The resulting shot off the corner kick would go wide left.
JMU would take the lead in the 29^th minute when Mohammed received a pass from Johnson and faced the keeper 1-on-1 before chipping in the goal.
ASU had a chance in the 36^th minute, but Blom came away with a save.
In the 72^nd minute, Blom made a jumping save, getting a fingertip on a shot from Phoebe Harpole to keep ASU off the board.
Attanasi doubled the lead in the 81^st minute, as senior Sammie Sipes passed to Collins who crossed the ball in to the far corner of the goal where Attanasi got a touch on the ball to find the back of the net and a 2-0 lead.
With 36 seconds remaining in the match, Attanasi nearly had her second goal of the match but nixed the crossbar.

Quick Hits

Alexandra Blom recorded her 18^th career solo shutout and 21^st total shutout. She is one shy of tying for third in the career ranks at JMU for solo shutouts and holds sole possession of fifth for total shutouts.
With Amanda Attanasi's 15^th career goal, she now is tied for 24^th in a JMU career.
JMU put eight of its 12 shots on goal.
The Dukes have not conceded a goal in the last 313:14 of play.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
"Proud of the team today. In the past in the Sun Belt, not a lot of teams could get points off Arkansas State at their place. I felt we controlled the game and put in a performance. That's a good three points we can build off for the first week of conference play. The best birthday present a coach can get is three points on the road!"

Up Next
The Dukes return home on Thursday, Sept. 21 to host Marshall at Sentara Park for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.