Dukes roll by Towson on Kokko's goals

Carolyn Walser / senior photographer Freshman midfielder Tristan Murray fights for possession during the Dukes' 5-1 win over Towson Friday.

On a crisp October night the Dukes continued their hot streak, scorching the Towson University Tigers 5-1 Friday to earn their first Colonial Athletic Association win of the season.

Freshman midfielder Lasse Kokko scored his third and fourth goals of the season to lead JMU.

After notching the Dukes’ first goal in the 15th minute off a cross from sophomore midfielder Kurt Morsink, Kokko finished JMU’s scoring, cleaning up a drive by senior midfielder Denny Fulk and sophomore midfielder Mark Totten.

The multi-goal performance was the first of Kokko’s career.

"It’s nice to play in front of the home fans and all the girls," Kokko said.

Eighty-four seconds after the first goal, junior midfielder Danny Sheridan ended a scrum in front of the Towson net by muscling home the Dukes’ second goal.

The Dukes scored their third goal of the night on a finesse move by Totten. He maneuvered down the right flank and placed a ball to Morsink, who struck the ball on a volley, blowing past Towson goalkeeper Zak Thompson.

Totten had two assists on the night, putting him in first place in the CAA with five. It was Totten’s first multi-point game of the season.

The Dukes led 4-0 at halftime against a team they tied 0-0 on the road last season.

"This team had about the same amount of skill as last year," Totten said. "We just didn’t show up to play that night."

The home field advantage also fueled the Dukes to avenge last year’s tie.

"When you look at our record over the last couple years, the home field advantage is key," Totten said. "Especially on Friday nights under the lights and with the big crowd."

The Dukes’ next home game is Friday against Virginia Commonwealth University. The No. 22-ranked Rams knocked the Dukes out of the CAA tournament last year, 3-0.

"VCU is always a big game since they’re always ranked in the top 25," Totten said. "Them traveling here to play is a big advantage."

Kokko added, "It’s always nice to play against the top opponents."