Men’s soccer upsets VCU in CAA battle

Carolyn Walser / senior photographer Redshirt sophomore midfielder MIke Tuddenham and the Dukes upset No. 15 VCU 3-1 Friday.

In a showdown of two teams tied for first in the Colonial Athletic Association, the men’s soccer team routed the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams 3-1 Friday night at the JMU soccer complex. The win raised the Duke’s record to 10-0-1 overall and 3-0 in the CAA.

VCU came into the game ranked No. 15 in the nation, while the Dukes entered Friday’s matchup at 25. After the game, junior midfielder Danny Sheridan emphasized the importance of the victory.

"This was by far the best team we’ve played all season," Sheridan said. "This does a lot for us in terms of our momentum this year."

The Dukes capitalized on their first opportunity of the night, when Sheridan scored the game’s first goal 15:20 into the first half to put the Dukes up 1-0. Sophomore midfielder Mike Tuddenham picked up the assist.

Things became more physical soon after the first goal, as three players received yellow cards in the first half.

By the end of the game, two players on each team received yellow cards.

Murray almost put the Dukes up 2-0 when he dribbled through a crowd of VCU defenders, but couldn’t connect on his shot. After the game, JMU head coach Tom Martin criticized the team’s play while admitting that he didn’t mind the final result.

"This definitely wasn’t the best game we’ve played this season," Martin said. "It was, however, our best result."

After a couple of early missed scoring chances, VCU tied the game 1-1 on a goal by junior midfielder Dominic Oduro 26:55 into the first half. Sophomore midfielder Samuel Asante assisted on the goal.

The first half ended in a 1-1 tie. VCU dominated the game’s first 45 minutes out-shooting JMU 4-1.

After a slow start in the second half, JMU finally got their second shot on goal at 24:11. Once again, they capitalized on their scoring opportunity.

Sophomore midfielder Kurt Morsink gave the Dukes their second goal of the game, and JMU a 2-1 lead. Redshirt freshman forward Frank D’Agostino and sophomore midfielder Mark Totten both racked up assists on the goal, setting up Morsink with an uncontested shot at the goal.

"We like to pass the ball and be explosive," Morsink said. "You always feel like defenders are coming in quick, so I knew I couldn’t hesitate once I touched the ball."

JMU redshirt sophomore goalie Kevin Trapp made a couple key saves late in the game when VCU had chances to tie.

"[Trapp] has been a little up and down this season since he hasn’t really been challenged much for his job," Martin said. "We’ve been critical of him, but tonight, he really came through for us with some really big saves."

Totten put the game out of reach when he scored with 2:24 left in the game to put JMU up 3-1. Morsink provided the assist.

The loss was VCU’s first CAA defeat. They fall to 2-1.

The Dukes next play Friday, when they take on the Bison of Howard University in a 3 p.m. matchup at the JMU Soccer Complex.

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