Albany drops JMU men’s soccer, 3-1

JMU surrendered a pair of first-half goals and was never able to overcome the deficit, falling to Albany 3-1 in the final match of the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Invitational on Sunday afternoon at University Park.

The Dukes (0-2) outshot the Great Danes (1-0-1) 15-11 overall but the visitors put seven shots on target to JMU’s five.

UAlbany opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Leo Melgar received a cross from Keith Traut and his shot beat JMU redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Morton (West Chester, Pa./Reed Henderson) inside the right post to make it 1-0.

The lead doubled to 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Phil Denara crossed a ball and found a wide-open Phil Barros. Barrios dribbled around Morton and tapped it in for the Great Danes’ second score, which would serve as the eventual game winner.

JMU conceded its third goal in the 62nd minute after Anthony Rozzano was taken down in the box by JMU’s goalie. A penalty kick was given and Rozzano buried it for the team’s third and final score.

The Dukes got on the board in the 71st minute following a successful cross from junior defender Daniel Roppert (Munich, Germany/Dorfen) to redshirt senior midfielder Stephen Mashinski (Fairfax, Va./Chantilly). Mashinski collected the pass and dribbled into the box where he beat Albany goalkeeper Tim Allen on the near right side.

Both Morton (0-2) and Allen (1-0-1) made four saves each for their respective teams.

Vermont (2-0) defeated Appalachian State (0-1-1) 3-1 in the first match Sunday to claim the team title while Albany was runner-up at the event.

By virtue of its 3-1 victory in the first match Sunday, Vermont (2-0) won the tournament while Albany was runner-up (1-0-1). Appalachian State was third (0-1-1) while host JMU took fourth (0-2).

James Madison returns to action next Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. with a road match at UNC Greensboro. The Dukes will return home to host Penn State on Monday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m.