The JMU women’s soccer team picked up its first win over a nationally-ranked team in 2014 on Friday night, downing No. 24 Wake Forest 2-1 at Spry Stadium.
The Dukes trailed 1-0 on an early goal in the ninth minute, but Sydney Braun-McLeod (Ottawa, Ontario/Glebe Collegiate Institute) pulled the game back even with a breakaway goal in the 37th minute that was set up by sophomore forward Ashley Herndon (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge).
Six minutes into the second half, Katie Hyland (Islip, N.Y./Islip) found the ball at her feet after it deflected off a Demon Deacons defender and put what turned out to be the game-winner behind Wake Forest goalkeeper Lindsay Preston. With the goal, Hyland tied former Duke Sarah Cebulski for 15th on the all-time goals list at JMU with 18.
Wake Forest (1-1) battled for the equalizer the rest of the way and outshot the Dukes 9-6 in the match, but redshirt junior goalkeeper Ellen Forrest (Midlothian, Va./James River) and the rest of the JMU defense stood tall to help the Dukes to 3-0 on the season.
The Demon Deacons’ best chance to tie the game came in the 67th minute when a shot by defender Kim Marshall glanced off the post and stayed out to keep the Dukes ahead.
JMU has now won each of its three contests in 2014 by identical 2-1 scores.
The Dukes return to action next Friday, Sept. 5, when they host Navy at University Park. The opening kick is slated for7 p.m.
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