App State's soccer team suffered its first defeat in seven weeks, losing 3-1 to James Madison University during a recent trip to Harrisonburg, Virginia. The loss concluded an impressive 10-game unbeaten streak, a new program record for the Mountaineers. This significant defeat marks the end of a dominant run for the team, which had remained undefeated for more than a month and a half.
The game's first half was characterized by a defensive stalemate. Both teams demonstrated strong defensive efforts and managed several shots on target. However, neither side could capitalize on opportunities, with both making several mistakes and failing to convert chances into goals. The only notable event in the first half saw freshman defender Anaya Jones receive a yellow card in the 30th minute of play, indicating the intensity of the contest.
James Madison University began to assert control and dominate the game significantly in the second half. This shift in momentum became immediately apparent in the opening minutes of the half. Defender Makenna Kirk broke the scoreless tie just two minutes into the second period, skillfully striking the ball from outside the box to find the right side of the goal and secure the first score of the match.
The Dukes continued to press their advantage. Five minutes after Kirk's opening goal, forward Ginny Lackey added to James Madison's lead, scoring her first goal of the game. This quickly put the Mountaineers in a challenging position as James Madison built a multi-goal lead early in the second half.
App State finally ended its scoring drought in the 63rd minute. Sophomore forward Libby Bermingham found the back of the net, registering the only goal for the Mountaineers. This brief surge of offense provided a momentary hope for the visiting team.
However, James Madison responded almost immediately to Bermingham's goal. Just one minute later, in the 64th minute, Ginny Lackey scored her second goal of the night, securing a brace and effectively sealing the victory for the Dukes. Her second goal re-established James Madison's two-goal lead and extinguished any momentum App State might have gained from their own score.
The final statistics reflected James Madison's stronger offensive performance throughout the match. App State concluded the game with only four shots on target, while James Madison recorded nine shots on target, more than double the amount achieved by the Mountaineers. These figures highlight the pressure James Madison applied and their greater success in creating scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, the App State soccer team will travel to Statesboro, Georgia, for its next match. The Mountaineers are scheduled to face Georgia Southern University, marking the midway point of their season. The game is set for October 8 at 5 p.m. Fans wishing to follow the action can stream the match live on ESPN+.
