12 Monday, October 18, 2010
breezejmu.org sports
women’s soccer
Dominating weekend performance
Sporting the purple away uniforms as part of a Homecoming weekend tradition, the JMU women’s soccer team shut out Colonial Athletic Association team Drexel University in a 2-1 win Friday night, out-shooting the Dragons 34-8. “They were a good team,” JMU coach Dave Lombardo said. “They came out and they battled us. We had to really earn it tonight.” The first half started slow, with the defense keeping both teams in the game. While JMU (9-60 overall, 5-2-0 in conference) attempted twice as many shots on goal as Drexel (5-9-1, 1-5-1), neither was managing to follow through. A goal finally bounced in off the left goal post in the 30th minute, scored by sophomore midfielder Katie Menzie, with an assist by senior forward Cate Tisinger. The Dukes continued to one up Drexel in the second half, with another JMU goal scored by Tisinger, and assisted by junior forward Yolie Anderson-Golhor in the 71st minute. “We were kind of picking them apart with possession,” Lombardo said. “I thought our backs just
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conference and 8-11 overall. “This win does a lot,” Steinbrecher said. “We’re trying to make the top four in conference and a loss tonight would have hurt those chances to make those dreams and plans. If they can come down from 14-7, they can come back and do anything.” Overshadowed by the marathon game was senior Lindsay Callahan becoming the sixth
player in JMU history to record 1,000 kills and 900 digs. “You can’t express what Lindsay has given to this program, on and off the court,” Steinbrecher said. “It’s just another milestone that she’s reached.” The Dukes wrapped up their two-week home stretch going 3-1; their lone loss was courtesy of Virginia Commonwealth University on Friday night in four sets. JMU is in third place in the Colonial Athletic
Association. The top four teams advance to the conference tournament. The Dukes step out of conf e re n c e p lay We d n e s day night as they travel to Norfolk State University (8-14), but return back home next Saturday night against the conference’s top team, George Mason University (6-0, 11-7). Contact Matt O’Toole at otoolemw@dukes.jmu.edu.
Football | Three turnovers from page 11
zach souliere / contributing photographer
Sophomore midfielder Katie Menzie scored the first goal of the game. It was also her first goal of the season. By Shannon Kenny The Breeze
Volleyball | Split weekend
didn’t give them any opportunities, which gave our goalkeeper only two saves for the night.” Redshirt senior goalie Diane Wszalek accomplished her 21st career solo shutout, tying the school record for most solo career shutouts set by Jessica Hussey (’06). While the accomplishment is impressive, Wszalek’s focus is not on breaking this record, but on the team’s overall success. “It is nice to get the shutout for me and the defense,” Wszalek said. “I hope we can get a few more shutouts this year. Our defense has been playing very well and they deserve it.” JMU went on to face another CAA contender on Sunday in their game against the University of Delaware. The game was an opportunity for redemption according to Lombardo. “This is a team we should have beaten last year,” Lombardo said. “We tied Delaware 1-1 the last time we faced them, so I think there’s a little bit of a revenge factor there.” The Dukes succeed in their mission, but only in the second half. JMU went on to beat the Blue Hens 4-0, scoring all four goals in the final 45 minutes. Freshman forward Lauren Wilson recorded her first hat
trick, while Tisinger netted the final goal along with an assist. Wszalek broke the record for most solo career shutouts, now in possesion of first place with 22. “We are really starting to play well now, and together, as a team,” Menzie said. “I think we should be able to knock off these last few games and hopefully win ourselves a conference championship.” The Dukes remain optimistic about the remainder of the season, despite conference foe Hofstra University’s currently undefeated CAA 8-0-0 standing and league leading status. The only opportunity JMU will have to play the Pride is in the conference tournament. “We can’t control what Hofstra’s doing right now,” Lombardo said. “They’re kind of running away with everything, but we can control what we’re doing. We want to end up with a 9-2 record and second place in the conference. If Hofstra stumbles, then we’re in position to maybe get that first place nod.” The Dukes will travel to Williamsburg on Friday to take on the Tribe, who are currently sixth in the conference. Contact Shannon Kenny at kennyse@dukes.jmu.edu.
and only 157 yards through the air, making his head coach more than frustrated with the offensive play. “We are just not very good on offense,” Matthews said. “We’re struggling to block people up front. I’m just getting frustrated with everything we’re doing on offense.” While most of the spotlight could be put on the disappointing JMU offense, the UNH defense was the main reason JMU was shut down. They sacked Dudzik four times and had eight tackles for loss overall. “They play hard and are disciplined,” Noble said. “They’re always in the right spot and when you play hard, things
Return of a legend Buffalo Bills linebacker Arthur Moats returned to JMU on Saturday to watch the team play the UNH Wildcats. One of the best defensive players in JMU history, Moats was a sixth-round (No. 178 overall) draft pick by the Bills this past April. After leading his new team in tackles during the preseason, he has officially made his mark in the National Football League. Playing primarily on special teams, Moats has four tackles through five games this season. robert boag / the breeze
happen to go your way.” UNH’s defense set the tone early when redshirt freshman linebacker Matt Evans scooped up a Dudzik fumble and ran 14 yards for the score, giving the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead. Along with Vasso, Evans was a dominating force in the game for the Wildcats as he had 14 tackles, one sack and the fumble recovery. The Dukes were able to bounce back from the mistake after an exceptional 53-yard punt return by redshirt freshman wide receiver Dae’Quan Scott set the Dukes up on the UNH 11-yard line. Four plays later, Noble recorded his first touchdown of the day to make the score 10-7. But the overwhelmingly poor play on the offensive side
of the ball has the coach questioning whether the negative energy stemming from a stagnant offense is now swaying to the defensive side. “I’m really concerned,” Matthews said. “You hate to say that because it’s not fair, but do I think that one side of the ball affects the other side? Yes, I do.” Whatever the case may be, JMU has limited time to figure out the problem as a daunting CAA schedule lies before the team. The Dukes return to action next Saturday, Oct. 23, when they travel to play defending Football Championship Subdivision champion, No. 6 Villanova University in Villanova, Pa. contact Joey Doherty at dohertjp@dukes.jmu.edu.