NORFOLK, VA. (JMU Athletics) – After a scoreless first half, each side stung one another with a goal in the second half as James Madison men’s soccer (7-5-4, 4-1-3 SBC) played ODU to a 1-1 draw in a feisty Royal Rivalry clash Friday evening at the ODU Soccer Complex.
ODU controlled the pace and tempo of the match for the majority of the first half, outnumbering JMU 8-to-1 in shots and 7-to-0 in corner kicks through the first 45 minutes. The Dukes were able to weather the storm and jump out to a 1-0 advantage with a goal from Chris Niblock in the 71st minute only to see the lead evaporate in the match’s final minute from a Lewis Rourke equalizer.
JMU was outpaced in shots by ODU 10-to-7 in the second half and 18-to-8 in the match. Leading the Dukes in shots was Håkon Rake, who took three and put one on frame. Niblock, the Dukes goal scorer took two total shots himself while the likes of Brock Frasier, Manuel Lolas and Jonas Griesbauer all chipped in a shot each to spread out the Dukes attack. In goal, Erik Jaspers made season-high seven saves.
Quoting Head Coach Paul Zazenski:
“The boys battled tonight and came up with a point away,” Zazenski said. “It was tough to concede the goal when we did but I thought we made some strong adjustments in the second half to go up a goal. Now we have a massive game at home against West Virginia to see out the regular season and there is a ton to play for.”
How It Happened
• Jaspers was called into action early as a ODU shot in the 7th minute forced to Dukes goalie to use all of his 6’5 frame to tip a high shot over the net.
• In the 23rd minute, Rourke struck a shot with plenty of power but Jaspers made the stop to keep the match scoreless.
• The Dukes got a corner kick in the 62nd minute as Frasier put one on target but the save was made by Logan Bellina.
• In the 71st minute, Christer Salvesen gave off for Niblock just outside of the box. Niblock launched a 20-foot rocket that struck the inside of the crossbar and bounced in to give JMU a 1-0 lead late.
• ODU equalized in match’s final minute when Rourke saw his first shot stopped by Jaspers but took advantage of a loose ball and put one through to stun the Dukes at the death.
Game Notes
• JMU forced Old Dominion into their first draw of the 2026 campaign. Meanwhile, the result was the Dukes’ fourth draw of the season and third in Sun Belt play.
• It was Jaspers’ second highest single game saves total of his career as the Saratoga Springs, Utah native came away with seven stops in the match.
• Chris Niblock scored his second goal of the season and brought his season points total up to nine. Niblock leads the Dukes in assists with five dimes, three of which come in league action.
• The Dukes were a perfect 7-0-0 when scoring first prior to tonight’s contest with that record now sitting at 7-0-1 after ODU’s late equalizer to force a draw.
Up Next
With 15 points in league play, James Madison enters a high-stakes duel with No. 13 West Virginia (17 points) at Sentara Park Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
