VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova found itself facing a three-goal deficit it could not answer in the second half, falling to James Madison 3-0 to open the season on Thursday at the Higgins Soccer Complex.

Villanova (0-1) applied pressure in the second half to hinder James Madison (1-0) from advancing its lead, holding the Dukes to just one shot on goal in the second half. The 'Cats were outshot 12-7 on the day but launched four of their attempts in the second half, two of those on frame in that span. All-told, they finished the day with three shots on target. Megan Donnelly led the team with two shots, both on goal.

"First half, we let them be a better team than we were able to be with them competitively," Villanova head coach Samar Azem said. "We gifted them three goals, in my opinion. Those goals were absolutely preventable, but we also have a lot to learn from that. We talked about before the game that we are looking to come out and start to compete in a different way than we have in the past, but we also know there is going to be a lot of growing through this nonconference schedule. It's here to test us. It's here to help us stretch us, so the game gave us that opportunity."

Donnelly had a strong attempt in the 12^th minute that could have put Villanova on the board first. Gabby Koluch picked up a crucial steal before passing to Donnelly, sending a rocket from the top of the 18-yard box that was sent away by a diving Sofia DeCerb outside of the goal box to keep the game scoreless.

James Madison needed just six minutes after that to make the first break of the day. The Dukes were awarded a free kick after a handball was called on Villanova. Ariana Reyes lined up for the shot from outside the 18-yard box, sending it sailing to the top left of the goal that touched off the hand of goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson and into the net, making it a 1-0 game.

The Dukes extended their lead in the 26^th minute, after Reyes played in a ball from the right side of the box to an open Shea Collins who was all alone near the top of the goal box. She tapped in a look back Dickinson to make it 2-0.

A busy sequence late in the half brought the final goal of the day. JMU's Lexi Vanderlinden sent a chance that hit off the right post and back into play. Brooke Potter was there waiting for the redirect, booting a shot into the back left of the net for a 3-0 JMU lead heading into the break.

"Second half, we adjusted really well, had a lot of good moments, but not good enough," Azem said. "So we go back to practice, we don't change who we are. We just keep getting better and better from here."

JMU's Amanda Attanasi tried to extend the lead in the 57^th minute, but her chance was saved by Dickinson for her lone save of the day. Donnelly had another chance in the 67th minute to get Villanova on the board, sending an arching shot to the goal that was easily grabbed by DeCerb. Both Lauren Ashman and Gabby Koluch had attempts late that also missed the goal.

Vanderlinden and Sophia Verrecchia led the Dukes with two shots each. DeCerb was called on for three saves in net.

Villanova is back at home on Sunday, hosting Temple at 4 p.m.