Freshman forward Ginny Lackey of the James Madison women’s soccer team was named to the Freshmen First Team All-American list by TopDrawerSoccer. She is the second Duke to receive this honor, after Cate Tisinger in 2007. Lackey also earned several awards this season, including Sun Belt Player and Freshman of the Year, as well as All-Tournament Team and All-Southeast Region honors. She made a significant impact in her debut season with 12 goals and 10 assists and set several program records. JMU finished the season with 12 wins, including a Sun Belt regular season and tournament championship.

Through the numbers

• Lackey scored 12 goals and 10 assists for a total of 34 points in her first season.
• She started 16 games and set a program record by scoring in nine consecutive games.

Yes but

While Lackey’s achievements are historic, the pressure to maintain performance and expectations in subsequent seasons is mounting. Critics may question whether she can repeat that success as the defense adapts to her style of play.

state of affairs

• The Dukes finished the fall season with a record of 12-4-5 and captured both the Sun Belt regular season and tournament titles.
• As JMU heads into the offseason, Lackey’s performance raises hopes for continued success in the coming seasons.

What’s next?

Looking forward, Lackey will look to build on her freshman success and lead JMU as they look to defend their titles and compete for more honors next season.

Conclusion

Lackey’s historic freshman season not only raises her individual profile, but also sets high expectations for future contributions to JMU women’s soccer, making her a key player to keep an eye on going forward.