JMU women notch soccer W

James Madison (2-1-1) got an early goal from sophomore Lauren Wilson (Coatesville, Pa./Downingtown) to edge Stony Brook 1-0 (1-1-0)in Sunday’s final round of the JMU/Fairfield Inn by Marriott Invitational Women’s Soccer Tournament.

In the day’s first game, Pittsburgh (1-2-1) nipped Delaware (1-2-0) 1-0.

Wilson’s game-winner came 16:01 into the match on a play that started with a ball served from midfield by junior Elisa Davidson (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield). Senior Yolie Anderson-Golhor (Ottawa, Ontario/Louis-Riel) headed the ball forward to Wilson, who sent a 22-yard shot from the left side of the field into the right corner of the goal.

JMU out-shot Stony Brook 16-6, and redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kate Courter (Lincoln Park, N.J./Immaculate Heart) made two saves to record her second consecutive shutout.

Wilson, Courter, sophomore defender Sam Lofton (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) and junior defender Elisa Davidson (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield) represented the Dukes on the 11-member all-tournament team.

“We would have liked to had a two- or three-goal cushion, but we played well and found a way to win,” said JMU Head Coach Dave Lombardo. “Friday night (a 6-0 win over Pittsburgh) everything we hit was going in, so you’re going to have some of these (low-scoring) days. We talk with the kids that Sundays are really important because championships are won on Sundays. That’s what happens in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) tournament and that’s what we prepare for.

“Lauren Wilson had four assists the other night and the game-winner today. She was really busy offensively and she was making their defense miss and have to adjust. Defensively, Sam Lofton played very well for us and also added a great goal on Friday night, and Kate Courter turned in two shutout performances this weekend in goal.”

In the earlier game, Pitt junior Ashley Cuba (Poland, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney) netted the game-winner in the 58th minute. A header by Panthers’ freshman Ali Matisse (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) dropped to the ground just in front of the goal, and Cuba poked the ball over the line for the game-winning score.