JMU remains unbeaten

FILE PHOTO Sophomore midfielder Mark Totten and the Dukes shutout Howard University 4-0 Friday to remain undefeated.

As they have done nearly every Friday, the Dukes controlled the pace of their home game, humbling Howard University 4-0. With the victory, the Dukes also maintained control of their own destiny in the Colonial Athletic Association.

The No. 17-ranked Dukes approached the season’s last scheduled home game looking to improve on the nation’s highest winning percentage (.962). Their opponent, Howard, stood at 2-5-2 entering the game and had been outscored 6-18 for the season.

Hesitant of breaking their mid-conference season momentum, the Dukes (12-0-1) came into the match focused.

"We needed to keep morale high with William & Mary and Old Dominion coming up on the road," freshman forward Frank D’Agustino said. "We really wanted to have no losses at home."

The Dukes’ victory over Howard gave them their 11th straight home victory on the final weekday, a streak that lapses two full seasons. D’Agostino and 15 of his teammates never have lost a home game on a Friday.

"Fridays have a completely different atmosphere," freshman midfielder Tristan Murray said. "The fans really give us a lift."

D’Agostino said, "When your legs start getting heavy late in the game, you feed off the home fans. You just don’t want to let them down."

Friday’s relatively sparse crowd of 159 was not let down. The Dukes’ first goal came when D’Agostino sent a diving header into the box off sophomore midfielder Mark Totten’s cross. D’Agostino’s header then was headed home by freshman forward Lasse Kokko.

Redshirt senior midfielder Chad Quenneville contributed his first assist of the season and Murray tallied his first goal as a Duke. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Walker also placed home a penalty kick after Totten was taken down in the penalty box.

"Howard has some talented players but, as a team, they are disorganized," D’Agostino said. "By making them chase the ball, they became tired — their skills suffered."

Murray said, "Coach Martin had us focus on keeping control of the ball to prevent them from building a rhythm."

The Dukes now must take the show on the road. After five straight home games, where they outscored visitors 18-4, they finish the regular season with five conference games on the road.