Vanderlinden’s Brace Leads Dukes over Eagles

STATESBORO, Ga. Redshirt senior Lexi Vanderlinden grabbed her second career brace, and freshman forward Ginny Lackey scored for the seventh consecutive match to push James Madison women’s soccer over Georgia Southern on the road, 3-1, at Bo Pitts Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Dukes moved to 7-3-3 (5-0-1 conf.) while Georgia Southern fell to 5-9-1 (2-4 conf.). The offensive depth of JMU was on display once again, as six different Dukes logged points. While Lackey and Vanderlinden netted the goals, Jordan Yang set a new career-high with two assists, while Shea Collins and Ariana Reyes got their fourth assists on the season and Sophia Verrecchia got her second.

Redshirt freshman Sofia DeCerb made her thirteenth start in goal, playing all 90 minutes and making one save. JMU outshot Georgia Southern 17-7, its sixth straight match taking ten or more shots.

Quoting Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.

“Finally got that one! Georgia Southern is the only team in the Sun Belt we haven’t gotten a result against, and the players were hungry. Jordan Yang was huge with the two assists and Lexi Vanderlinden with the two goals. When your captains execute like that it’s a great day.”

How it Happened

• JMU’s defense was tested early as it weathered three corner kicks in the first twelve minutes.
• The Dukes got their first shot off in the tenth minute that went wide right.
• Amanda Attanasi had the next striking opportunity in the 23rd minute off a corner that was saved on the ground.
• Verrecchia tested the Eagle goalie again in the 29th minute with a shot that was saved.
• The Dukes only allowed two shots in the first half that were both blocked, keeping the game scoreless at the half.
• JMU got three shots off in the first five minutes of the second period to try and break the scoreless tie.
• In the 55th minute, Yang delivered a pass into the box to Reyes who crossed it to Lackey for the header to put JMU up 1-0.
• The Eagles got on the board when Smith Cathey took the ball herself into the net in the 63rd minute for the equalizer.
• Collins got a good look to retake the lead with a shot on goal in the 69th minute.
• Yang got her second assist on the match with another perfectly placed ball to Vanderlinden in the box who did the rest to give the Dukes the lead again, 2-1, in the 71st minute.
• In the 77th minute, the Dukes doubled their lead when Collins and Verrecchia got possession deep in the attacking zone again and found Vanderlinden who booted it into the net to make it 3-1 JMU.
• DeCerb helped keep the two-goal lead in the 87th minute with a leaping save and grab off a Georgia Southern free kick, helping the Dukes cross the finish line with the win.

Quick Facts

• Lackey’s goal is her ninth score in eight games. She leads the conference in goals per game (1.125).
• The victory marked the fourth match of the season with three or more assists.
• The Dukes grabbed their first win over the Eagles, having lost the two prior meetings.

Up Next
JMU returns home to Sentara Park for a contest with App State on Thursday, Oct. 17th. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.