UNC (4-1-0), which entered the game ranked number one in the NSCAA coaches poll and number two in the Soccer America poll, lost for the first time in five games. JMU evened its record at 2-2-1.
Before a University Park-record crowd of 1,531 the Dukes extended their home unbeaten streak to 14 games (12-0-2), tying the school record set during the 2003-04 seasons (13-0-1).
McLaughlin converted a penalty kick with 3:12 left in the opening half, sending the ball to the left side of the goal while senior goalkeeper Scott Goodwin (Raleigh, N.C./Broughton) dove to the right.
The penalty was assessed when UNC sophomore defender Jordan McCrary (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter) was called for a shove on a JMU player in the penalty area.
JMU out-shot UNC 9-7, and redshirt junior goalkeeper Colin Newcity (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) made three saves to get his second shutout of the year.
