WASHINGTON – The No. 7 Georgetown University women's soccer team scored a goal in each half on Thursday night to get past the James Madison Dukes in both teams' season openers. The Hoyas earned their first win of the 2019 season by defeating the Dukes 2-1 at Sentara Park. With the win, GU starts out the year 1-0-0 while JMU falls to 0-1-0.

"This was a good win on the road in difficult circumstances," said Head Coach Dave Nolan. "The weather delay made it a long day and I was happy with how we managed the game. At 2-0 we scored a great goal to go up 3-0, which the officials deemed offside. Then out of nowhere, JMU scores on a set piece, which gave them life for the last 15 minutes. Credit to JMU for giving it a real go, but we regrouped and saw out the rest of the game."

HOW IT HAPPENED

Freshman Julia Leas (Vienna, Va. / Madison) started it off for the Blue & Gray in the 35th minute by scoring her first career goal from the top of the box. Leas found the opportunity off of a deflected shot from the 20-yard line and was able to sneak the ball inside the left post to take the early lead.

In the second half, graduate student Amanda Carolan (Bayville, N.J. / Central Regional) made it 2-0 by taking advantage of the JMU defense. With Carolan and senior Paula Germino-Watnick (Chevy Chase, Md. / Bethesda-Chevy Chase) inside the box, Germino-Watnick crossed the ball over to a well-defended Carolan. While JMU's defense miscommunicated during the pass, Carolan snuck past the defender to put the ball in the back of the net in the 54th minute.

James Madison was able to get on the scoreboard in the 75th minute on a free kick, making the final score 2-1.

OF NOTE

The Blue & Gray took eight shots, four in each half, to JMU's seven. Of the eight Hoya shots, Germino-Watnick, Leas and senior Carson Nizialek (Chantilly, Va. / Freedom) led the squad with two shots each.

Georgetown had a chance to make it 3-0 in the second half, but was called offside before the shot was taken.

Freshman Anna Leat (Auckland, New Zealand / Rangitoto College) made her first appearance for the Hoyas at the net with three saves. Leas and Gia Vicari (Reading, Pa. / The Baldwin School) also made their collegiate debuts.

UP NEXT

The Blue & Gray will play in its home opener at Shaw Field on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. against the No. 21 NC State Wolfpack. Please keep in mind that fans planning on attending Sunday's match should make appropriate arrangements when arriving on campus due to on-campus convocation traffic beginning at 11 a.m.

Live stats and a video stream for Sunday's game will be available at GUHoyas.com.