By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. – Trailing by a goal in the final 90 seconds of regulation, Summer Bowman drilled a shot towards the James Madison goal. While the initial effort went ringing off the crossbar, the ball bounced right back to Bowman who headed it home, to help the Mountaineers pull out a 1-1 draw against the Dukes, Sunday at The Valley.
For the second time in a matter of five days, App State (5-3-2, 1-0-2) showed tremendous fight to overcome a late-game deficit. Wednesday in Conway, Bowman netted an equalizer with seven minutes to play to earn a point at Coastal, and Sunday’s effort was even more dramatic, helped by the eruption of the home crowd in Boone.
The goal, which crossed the line with just 1:03 remaining in regulation, keeps the Mountaineers unbeaten in Sun Belt play, and undefeated at home where they are now 3-0-2 on the campaign, and have conceded just one goal on the turf in Boone.
eagleston finished the match with four saves
JMU (5-2-4, 2-0-1), which was picked to win the Sun Belt this season, opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Suwaibatu Mohammed capitalized on a counter attack and flicked the ball past Kerry Eagleston.
That was the only blemish on Eagleston’s line. She finished the match with four saves, and despite JMU controlling possession, 59 percent to 41 percent, the App State defense did well to keep that control outside threatening areas of the field.
App State out-shot JMU 12-11, including seven shots (three on goal) from Izzi Wood, who also rang a shot off the crossbar with 13 minutes to play in the opening half.
The Mountaineers will continue their homestand on Friday night, when they host Georgia Southern at 5:30 p.m. It’s Pups at the Pitch night, and fans are encouraged to bring their furry friends out to the match. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
