Victory by PK
Dukes win 4th straight over winless Panthers in conference opener
By Travis Clark, contributing writer
Posted on September 25, 2006

The JMU men’s soccer team opened their Colonial Athletic Association schedule last Friday night with a 2-1 win over the Georgia State Panthers at JMU Soccer Complex.

The win improved their record to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference.

The match was very physical and sloppy at times, as it featured five total yellow cards. The Dukes did not play to their potential, but still escaped with a win.

“We did not give our best performance,” senior midfielder Mark Totten said. “But it was a huge win, and that’s what we wanted.”

Said JMU coach Tom Martin, “We were fortunate; the game could have gone either way.”

The first half began with possession going back and forth. Georgia State tried a few runs, but JMU held a strong back line, as the Panthers were called offside four times in the first 15 minutes. JMU junior midfielder Tristan Murray began to control the midfield, as JMU started to hold possession.

Sophomore midfielder Nick Zimmerman and senior midfielder Kurt Morsink put pressure on the Panther defense. The Dukes almost struck in the 19th minute when Zimmmerman played a ball to Totten. He slipped it over to junior forward Lasse Kokko, who rocketed a shot wide. Morsink had a couple of opportunities on free kicks, but failed to test Georgia State keeper Felipe Carvalho.

JMU broke through in the 24th minute on an individual effort by Totten. Forced to start on defense due to team injury problems, he collected the ball on the right wing and began a run toward the goal. He cut inside two Panther defenders, and after another one slipped, fired a low, skipping shot under the outstretched arms of Carvalho into the right side of the net, putting JMU up 1-0. The score held going into halftime.

JMU senior midfielder Tomiwa Ogunsola said, “We created many opportunities but didn’t put them away. We need to commit to get the goal.”

The beginning of the second half could not have started worse for the Dukes.

Georgia State forward Alberto Villareal scored the equalizer in the 46th minute, beating JMU senior defender Mike Tuddenham — who had a strong game otherwise — down the left side and putting a low shot past JMU senior keeper Kevin Trapp.

JMU responded by holding the ball in Georgia State’s half. However, the Dukes had very few, quality chances.

“We were not keeping the ball, especially in the second half,” Totten said. “We had the right ideas, just poor execution.”

With the shots either nonexistent or flying high over the crossbar, it seemed as though a 1-1 draw might have been the result. However, the Dukes caught a break in the 72nd minute when sophomore forward Kyle Morsink was pulled down in the box by a Panther defender. After initial confusion, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Kurt Morsink calmly shot it past the keeper and into the goal, giving JMU its final 2-1 lead.

“The mark of a good team is if you can play poorly and still get a result,” Martin said. “We weren’t on our A-game tonight.”

“[But] we were lucky we got the three points. We’ll take it and move on.”

JMU will hit the road next week for its next two games against Drexel and Delaware. The soccer team returns home Oct. 6 to take on the Tribe of William & Mary.