HARRISONBURG, VA – The Duquesne University men's soccer team dropped its season opener, 3-1, to James Madison University on the road Thursday night.

In a battle of the Dukes, the ones hailing from Virginia were able to prevail. JMU broke the ice early and often in the first half, netting three goals in a span of 18 minutes. Duquesne fought back and challenged the JMU backline, but couldn't overcome the early deficit.

James Madison rattled off three straight goals off of cut-back crosses in the 12^th, 15^th, and 29^th minutes.

Maxi Hopfer had two chances to put the Dukes on the board, but missed inches left to the post in the 24^th minute and had another saved off the line from an indirect free kick inside the box in the 33^rd.

Duquesne regrouped after the halftime break and applied the pressure, outshooting JMU 12-5. Jayden Da flicked a header towards senior midfielder Cameron Territo from a set piece, who placed it home above the keeper's head for the Dukes first goal of the year.

Zoltan Nagy, who received his first career start in goal for DU, made two big saves in the 65^th and 81^st minute that kept Duquesne's hopes alive.

With one final push, Hopfer served a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, but to no prevail. Da, Anthony DiFalco, and Nate Dragisich all found their attempts on goal rejected from the JMU keeper.

The Dukes held JMU to just one corner kick in the game, while creating four of their own.

Duquesne will stay in Harrisonburg until Sunday to take on Virginia Tech. Start time is slated for 12 pm from Sentara Park.
 
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