Dukes Earn Point in Draw with South Carolina

Saturday, September 30

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

4-3-3, 0-2-1

South Carolina

2-5-2, 1-1-1

South Carolina

James Madison

9/30/2023 10:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. — An equalizer from South Carolina in the 72nd minute gave James Madison men's soccer a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Sentara Park for its first Sun Belt Conference point of the season.

The Dukes moved to 4-3-3, 0-2-1 SBC and snapped a three-match losing streak, while the Gamecocks moved to 2-5-2, 1-1-1 SBC.

Graduate Clay Obara and redshirt junior Demitri Turner led the attack with three shots each, as Turner netted the goal for JMU. Sophomore Sebastian Conlon made two saves in goal.

How It Happened

SC got off the first pair of shots before redshirt junior Evan Southern fired off JMU's first shot in the 18^th minute.
Obara had the first chance in the 26^th minute, having his shot saved. All three of the midfielder's shots were put on target.
The Dukes got on the board in the 65^th minute on Turner's second goal in as many matches. After a foul gave JMU a free kick in the attacking third, Ben Alexander punched the ball out before sophomore Kevin Larsson sent a ball into the box that Turner got a head on and found the back of the net.
SC equalized in the 72^nd minute after a spin kick from Adam Luckhurst in the six-yard box after a cross was bounced around.
The hosts had a trio of chances to retake the lead in the 79^th, 83^rd and 88^th minutes, but all were saved.
JMU peppered the goal, as Alexander made nine saves in the match for the Gamecocks.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"Tonight we played well and created a ton of chances but didn't secure the three points. We haven't been getting a few bounces that seemed to be going our way early on in the season and that is frustrating but part of the game. The Sun Belt provides a test every time out and tonight was no different."

Up Next
The Dukes hit the road to take on No. 4 West Virginia in Morgantown on Sunday, Oct. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.