JMU's Run in Sun Belt Championship Ends in Semifinals

Wednesday, November 13

Huntington, W.Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

8-5-6, 3-3-3

Marshall

11-1-6, 4-0-5

James Madison

Marshall

11/13/2024 10:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An own goal in the 36^th minute was the difference maker as James Madison's run in the Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer Championship ended in the semifinals, falling to host Marshall, 1-0, at Hoops Family Field on Wednesday night.

The sixth-seeded Dukes dropped to 8-5-6, while the second-seeded and eighth-ranked Thundering Herd improved to 11-1-6 and are headed back to their second consecutive title match after winning last year's match.

Junior Kevin Larsson and freshman Manuel Lolas had a shot each for JMU, while junior Sebastian Conlon made five saves in goal as he played the full 90 minutes.

Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
"I'm proud of the group and the effort. The effort was there, the result wasn't, but ultimately these guys grinded through a season that was unlike any other. We had 13 seniors and a lot of people don't know the adversity that these guys faced throughout the year, which came in bunches. So to go out there and battle and be in the semifinals of a great conference in the Sun Belt, we have got to hold our heads up high and be proud of that. Marshall defended well all night and were extremely difficult to break down. That being said, losing another game 1-0 on an own goal was frustrating but at the end of the day, Marshall deserved to be moving on."

How It Happened

Marshall had the first chance of the match in the 32^nd minute putting its last of three shots taken at that moment on goal that was saved by Conlon.
The Herd took the lead in the 36^th minute as senior Enrique Garcia Barelles attempted to clear out a shot from Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos, that ended up in the back of the net for an owl goal.
With just over a minute to go in the first half, the Herd had a three shot attempts in the span of 11 seconds inside the box with two getting saved and the final one blocked before getting cleared out.
A red card was issued to Rai Pinto in the 60^th minute, with the Dukes playing the final 30 minutes a man up.
The caution came just outside of the top of the box, with Larsson's shot going just over the crossbar.

Quick Facts

The own goal by JMU was its third own goal allowed of the season, each being the game-winning goal in the respected match.
Since 2014, the Dukes have advanced to the semifinals of their conference tournament in eight of 10 seasons. The lone two seasons were in 2021 when they were ineligible due to realignment and last season's quarterfinal exit.
Redshirt senior Josiah Blanton made is 74^th career start for JMU, tying Bjarki Adalsteinsson (2012-15) for seventh most in program history.
Redshirt senior Chay Strine played in his 81^st match, moving into a five-way tie for fifth most at JMU.
JMU is now 3-3 in Sun Belt Championship matches.