No. 18 Virginia Tech women’s soccer defeats James Madison 2-0

HARRISONBURG, Va. (Via Virginia Tech University) – Two goals from junior forward Alani Johnson helped push the No. 18 Virginia Tech women’s soccer team win streak to four with a 2-0 victory over James Madison on Sunday evening at University Park, in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Tech dominated possession, barely allowing the Dukes out of their own end. The final stat line spoke to the Hokies’ aggressive play, as they finished with a 16-5 edge in shots and 3-2 edge in shots on-goal.

With the team locked in a scoreless battle in the 36th minute, Johnson connected on a header just outside the penalty line. After intercepting a poor JMU clearance, freshman midfielder Lilly Weber helped jump-start the Hokies’ scoring opportunity, dishing the ball inside the box to a waiting Johnson. The Virginia Beach native juked JMU’s goalkeeper Olivia Miller to the right, placing the ball in the back left corner of the net.

Unsatisfied with a one-goal lead, the Hokies maintained the pressure and netted the insurance goal just one minute into the second half. Weber placed the ball perfectly to a streaking Johnson up the right side of the field, as the junior forward took an in-stride shot inside the box to tally her second goal of the game.

The game winner is Johnson’s team-best second of the season. She now holds a team-high four goals on the year, scoring back-to-back multi-goal games for the first time in her career.

HEAD COACH CHUGGER ADAIR QUOTES

“I think Alani (Johnson) played well tonight. It’s the second game in a row that she has scored two goals, and she has been strong, so it has been great for her to come in and contribute. We are getting quality minutes from her which is good.”

“We have good depth, so its difficult to pick the lineup each week. The girls are stepping up at times, and we are playing well. We want to be competitive, and we want to be strong. It was good. I am happy with the depth, and I am happy with the results. It is difficult to come up here and get a result. JMU is a good team, and Dave does a good job. They have a good program. It’s hard to come here and play against them, with them being kind of like our neighbor. I am glad that we came here and got a result.”

NOTES

With the win, the Hokies have won the last five meetings vs. the Dukes, holding a 4-0 all-time mark under head coach Charles “Chugger” Adair’s watch … freshman Mandy McGlynn made two saves on the night for the team’s second shutout of the season … the Hokies edged the Dukes 4-3 in corner kicks.

NEXT UP

The Hokies will rest for three days before squaring off with Ohio State on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Thompson Field. Kick off will begin at 7 p.m. Tech will then travel to Williamsburg, Virginia, to face William & Mary on Sunday, Sept. 4. First kick is set for 2 p.m.