HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison men’s soccer’s 54th-minute goal snapped No. 5 Princeton’s 419:16 consecutive minutes streaking without conceding, but an equalizer 55 seconds left allowed the match to end in a 1-1 draw at Sentara Park on Tuesday night.
The Dukes moved to 1-7-3, while the Tigers’ had their eight-match winning streak come to an end and moved to 9-1-1.
Graduate Aidan Melville netted the goal for the Dukes, as junior Jonas Griesbauer helped pace the offense with three shots. Sophomore Erik Jaspers made a career-high eight saves in 90 minutes of action in goal.
Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski
“That was a big-time effort from our guys tonight. Princeton had only conceded three goals all year and was the number one ranked RPI team in the country. The team was up for it tonight and it showed in our play. So proud of the team on the night and a big thanks to the crowd tonight as they were fantastic.”
How It Happened
• Princeton had the advantage offensively in the first half, outshooting the Dukes 11-1 with 10 corner kicks.
• Jaspers past his previous career-high of five saves by halftime, getting in front of shots in the 19th, 20th, 23rd, 29th, 34th and 40th minutes.
• Princeton blitzed the backline of the Dukes in the middle of the first half, putting a pair of shots on goal and three consecutive corner kicks in a 2:41 span.
• The Dukes returned with their own blitz, as redshirt junior Cameron Arnold had a shot inside the penalty box saved before Griesbauer had his two shots saved in five seconds split from each other.
• JMU broke the scoreless tie in the 53rd minute after earning a corner kick, with sophomore Milo Wray sending the ball into the box where junior Brock Frasier headed it to Melville who then one-timed the ball off his head into the goal.
• The Tigers responded quickly, scoring 55 seconds later after a free kick into the penalty area was knocked.
• In the 83rd minute, a red card was assessed to the Dukes, forcing them to play a man down for the final 7:31 of the match.
• Despite facing four Princeton shots, the defense held strong to earn the draw.
Quick Facts
• Since joining the Sun Belt, the Dukes are 1-2-2 when facing a nationally ranked opponent at Sentara Park.
• The Dukes earned their first result against a top-five opponent at Sentara Park since joining the Sun Belt, having fallen to No. 5 Kentucky in 2022 and No. 2 Marshall in 2023.
• Princeton outshot JMU 23-9 and had a 17-3 advantage on corner kicks.
• Erik Jaspers’ eight saves are the most for a JMU goalkeeper since Sebastian Conlon had 10 against on Oct. 19 last season.
• JMU’s six shots on goal are its most this season.
Up Next
JMU continues the nation’s toughest schedule on Saturday, Oct. 18 as it welcomes No. 12 Marshall to Sentara Park for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The matchup will be the Dukes’ fourth nationally ranked opponent this season, making it five straight seasons of facing at least four nationally ranked teams.
— JMU Athletics —
