HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Georgia Southern men's soccer team fell 5-1 in a Sun Belt Conference match against the James Madison Dukes on Friday night.

The Dukes (7-3-5, 3-2-3 SBC) came out aggressive, outshooting the Eagles (2-8-6, 1-4-3 SBC) 9-1 in the first 45 minutes of action, notching two scores in that frame. The Eagles did lead in the saves department, as Nate Martinez saved two JMU shots to end the first half at a 2-0 deficit.

JMU added another goal less than three minutes into the second half, but Jack Ireland got the Eagles on the board in the 51st minute, cutting into the lead at 3-1. The Dukes would capture another goal two minutes later to stretch the lead back to three, and score another goal in the 68th minute to take the 5-1 lead and eventual final.

The Dukes outshot the Eagles 23-3 but the Eagles saved eight shots to JMU's one save.

As of the time of writing, most SBC matches are finished and standings are being updated. Kentucky defeated second-ranked West Virginia 1-0, and fifth-ranked Marshall defeated Old Dominion 2-0, leaving the Eagles alone at ninth in the league with six points. Heading into Tuesday's matches, a Georgia Southern win or tie against Kentucky would qualify the Eagles for the Sun Belt Conference Championship.

UP NEXT
Georgia Southern hosts Kentucky for Senior Night on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.