Liberty University
1-3-1
James Madison
4-2-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIBERTY | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| James Madison | 2 | 0 | 2 |
JMU Edges Liberty, 2-1, Sunday Afternoon
9/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Looking for its first-ever win versus James Madison, the Liberty women's soccer team squared off with the Dukes, Sunday afternoon, at University Park. Despite keeping things close and posting an equalizing goal during the first period, the Lady Flames were unable to come away with the victory, dropping the contest, 2-1.
With the defeat, Liberty falls to 1-3-1 on the season, while JMU improves to 4-2 in 2015. The Dukes extend their all-time series record against Liberty to 6-0.
Allie Bunner and Rachel Ivey accounted for the Dukes' pair of markers, while Ashley Herndon, Kelly Kerrigan and Jennie Sroba each had assists.
Sophomore forward Jennifer Knoebel posted Liberty's lone marker, receiving an assist from senior forward Crystal Elmers.
Liberty and JMU each finished the contest with 13 shots, with the Dukes outshooting the Lady Flames on goal, 5-2. Corner kicks were also even at 5-5.
Liberty goalkeeper Holly Van Noord played the full 90 minutes in goal, making three saves. Ellen Forrest also spent the entire contest in between the posts for the Dukes, finishing with one save.
JMU lit up the scoreboard during the 10th minute thanks in part to a Kerrigan corner kick. Kerrigan chipped the ball to Sroba, who then dished it to Bunner. The midfielder slipped a shot past Van Noord, giving the Dukes a 1-0 lead with her fifth goal of the season.
The Lady Flames countered with an equalizing goal in the 27th minute. Elmers managed to make a run and created space between her and the JMU defense before passing the ball to Knoebel. The sophomore finished the play, knotting the contest at 1-1 with her first goal of the season.
JMU wasted little time reclaiming the advantage, countering with its second and final goal of the match in the 32nd minute. Herndon sent a crossing pass to Ivey, who found the back of the net with her first marker on the year. Ivey's goal ultimately gave the Dukes a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
The Lady Flames pressed the attack early in the second period in search of another equalizer. A blocked shot by Elmers in the 48th minute forced a Brittany Aanderud corner kick, but Liberty could not capitalize on the opportunity.
Redshirt sophomore Bertha Martinez checked into the contest for Elmers during the 70th minute and quickly made an impact. Martinez booted a shot toward the JMU goal in the 72nd minute, but Forrest corralled the attempt to maintain the Dukes' lead. The lone save by Forrest eventually gave way to the 2-1 JMU victory.
Liberty remains on the road Thursday, as the team takes on Pittsburgh. Game time between the Lady Flames and the Panthers at Ambrose Urbanic Field is slated for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
Bunner, Allie (5)
Assisted By: Kerrigan, Kelly , Sroba, Jennie
corner by 10 to 21 to 2 for goal
9:30
KNOEBEL, Jennifer
Assisted By: KESTEL, Jordan , ELMERS, Crystal
13 makes run pass to 20 for goal
26:48
Ivey, Rachel (1)
Assisted By: Herndon, Ashley
cross by 19 to 15 for goal
31:54
