Ewell, Dukes defeat George Washington

Evin Shoap / senior photographer Sophomore forward Sarah Cebulski dribbles toward the goal during JMU's 1-0 victory over George Washington University.

Led by a couple of first-time starters, the JMU women’s soccer team posted a 1-0 victory Thursday night, defeating the George Washington University Colonials. Sophomore forward Natalie Ewell scored the game’s only goal, while redshirt senior forward Christy Metzker picked up the assist.

JMU rebounded from a 2-1 loss last week to No. 16 West Virginia University. The win improved JMU’s record to 4-2-0 overall for the season.

Along with freshman defender Laura Hertz, both Ewell and Metzker started for the first time this season as the Dukes were missing two starters, sophomore defender Lyanne Dupra and junior forward Kim Argy who tore her ACL this week and is out for the season.

"This [situation] is why we recruit," coach Dave Lombardo said. "Kids come in to add quality depth and another dimension to the team. You saw that today with Natalie scoring the goal."

Metzker agreed that although JMU had a number of injuries, they knew they wouldn’t have too much trouble.

"Injuries are always devastating, but our players off the bench are definitely good enough to fill in," Metzker said.

Before she went down with her injury, Argy was tied for the team-lead in goals this season with two. Junior midfielder Karly Skladany also was hurt, but played despite her injury.

Ewell was impressed with the way the Dukes played.

"I thought we played awesome with our injuries," Ewell said. "We knew we had to step up, and we really stepped up to the challenge."

The first half ended in a scoreless tie, but JMU dominated on the field. The Dukes had 13 shots on goal to GW’s 7. The Colonials didn’t get their first shot on goal until halfway through the first half.

"We were a little out of sync with our finishing, but I’m not too worried," Lombardo said. "If we weren’t creating chances that’d be one thing, but we are, so the finishing will come."

With 31:25 left in the second half, JMU capitalized on one of its opportunities when Metzker set Ewell up for the game’s lone goal.

"We moved the ball a lot better and saw the field a lot better than we did against West Virginia," Metzker said. "We do need to capitalize better on our shots, on goal though.

While the Dukes were happy with this win, they acknowledge that they still had work to do before they could completely be satisfied with their play.

"We’re playing well right now, but we have to get on the ends of more crosses and finish more chances," Ewell said.

.