Last Minute Corner Vaults Men’s Soccer to Home Opener Victory Over James Madison

Saturday, August 29

Radford, Va.

7:00 PM

Radford University

1-1-0, 0-0-0

James Madison

1-2-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
James Madison	0	1	1
Radford	0	2	2

Photo by: Rob Simmons

Last Minute Corner Vaults Men’s Soccer to Home Opener Victory Over James Madison

8/29/2026 10:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's soccer program used a pair of second half goals including an incredible goal off a corner from Gabriele Sellati and Jackson Boreham in the closing minutes to vault past James Madison 2-1 Saturday night.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The goals from Noel Zimbeva (63rd minute) and Boreham (85th minute) were their first with the Highlanders. Including Sellati's assist, all three goals and two assists this season have come from five different Highlanders.
While both teams conceded penalties, Ben Miller was still strong in front of the net recording five saves. Not seen in the box score, Miller had multiple decisive punch outs throughout the match to break up opposing scoring opportunities.
After recording just one shot and no corners in the first half, Radford's offense flipped possession more often over the final 45 and got five more shots, four of which came on goal, as well as three corners.
The win over James Madison is Radford's first since 2017, also coming inside the friendly confines of Cupp Stadium.
The victory is also the first for first-year head coach Andy Cormack.

PLAY BY PLAY
Intensity was on full display between the two squads who have met in three of the last four straight seasons. In the first half, scoring opportunities were hard to come by as just two of the Dukes first six shots came on target. Miller stopped both with ease, and the defensive backline played sharp to allow no easy looks.

Radford's lone scoring opportunity of the half came in the 32nd minute. After a ball came loose in the box, Zimbeva didn't waste the opportunity and ripped a strong shot on goal that the Dukes goalkeeper made a strong stop on to keep the game scoreless.

Scoreless going into halftime, the intensity continued out of the break as Radford brought in some fresh legs to create some offensive pressure. Rahul Moriarty, Carter McClain and Sam Amyx would all come off the bench to create pressure early. In the 62nd minute, Owen Gaisford got Radford's second shot on goal of the game off what looked to be a perfect header.

The Highlanders wouldn't have to wait long to break the ice, though, as a hand ball in the box confirmed by VAR allowed the Highlanders a penalty chance. Zimbeva stepped up to take the shot and snuck it past the sturdy James Madison keeper to give Radford their first lead at 1-0.

The Highlanders seemingly blocked each Dukes scoring threat after that, but the team unfortunately landed on the other end of a handball call in the box that gave James Madison a penalty chance of their own. They converted, locking the game back up at 1-1 with just nine minutes to play.

Not satisfied with the tie, Radford mounted their comeback attempt. Over the next three minutes Radford would secure three corners. The third one, off a misplayed ball by a Dukes defender, was the charm. Sellati fired in a perfect corner that brisked the head of Boreham who gave it the final push it needed to find the net and give Radford the 2-1 lead in the 85th minute.

With a minute to go, James Madison had a great open look on their offensive end. Fears were quickly erased as Radford's defense blocked the near goal to dismiss the last opportunity for James Madison. Radford would go on to hold the advantage in front of a strong showing from the Highlander faithful for the 2-1 victory.

UP NEXT
Radford goes back on the road for some midweek action as they visit Commonwealth foe Old Dominion on Wednesday, September 2nd. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. with all the action streaming on ESPN+.

STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD MEN'S SOCCER
For all the latest on Radford men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on X (@RadfordMSOC), Instagram (@radfordmsoc), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Men's Soccer).

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