Dukes Capture CAA Regular Season Title With Senior Day Draw

Sunday, October 21

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

10-7-1, 7-1-1CAA

Delaware

4-11-2, 3-5-2CAA

OT 3

OT 4

Delaware

James Madison

Dukes Capture CAA Regular Season Title With Senior Day Draw

10/21/2018 6:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison clinched the outright Colonial Athletic Association women's soccer regular season championship on Sunday afternoon, playing Delaware to a 1-1 draw in both teams' regular-season finale at Sentara Park.

The Dukes (10-7-1, 7-1-1 CAA), unbeaten in their last six matches, entered the match needing just a point to seal the regular season title, then used six shots on goal, including the first collegiate goal for sophomore Maia Foley to battle Delaware (4-11-2, 3-5-2 CAA) to an even scoreline on a cold, windy afternoon.

The win makes JMU the No. 1 seed for next week's CAA Tournament, earning the Dukes a bye through to Sunday's semifinals and homefield advantage throughout the single-elimination bracket.

Aside from Foley's crucial second-half goal, junior Haley Crawford racked up a match-high six shots on the day, putting four on frame to lead the JMU offense. Senior Olivia Miller needed just three saves to earn the win for the Dukes in her first start of the season.

HOW THEY SCORED
Delaware
50' | Olivia Shuck opened the scoring just after halftime, getting her head to a corner kick from Helen Dyer and floating the ball back towards the near post, where it tucked itself just under the crossbar to make it 1-0.
JMU
55' | Foley's first career goal proved crucial exactly five minutes later, after junior Claire Meiser saw her header saved off the line. Foley needed only a volley to bury the rebound from inside six yards, providing the Dukes a game-tying goal before JMU saw out the remainder of the match.

QUOTING COACH WALTERS
"This is an amazing feeling for this team. To battle back and find a way to win the CAA regular season title after a really tough start to the year is just pure joy. So much credit goes to the players for their unwavering belief and to our staff for their many hours of hard work. We're going to enjoy this one today and then get back to work tomorrow to prepare for the CAA Tournament."

CAA STANDINGS
No. 1 James Madison - 22 pts. (7-1-1)
No. 2 Northeastern - 21 pts. (7-2)
No. 3 Hofstra - 19 pts. (6-2-1)
No. 4 Charleston - 16 pts. (5-3-1)
No. 5 Drexel - 13 pts. (4-4-1)
William & Mary - 10 pts. (3-5-1)
Delaware - 10 pts. (3-5-1)
UNCW - 9 pts. (3-5)
Towson - 5 pts. (1-6-2)
Elon - 3 pts. (1-7)

DRAWN UP
Sunday marked the Dukes' first draw in nearly three years. The last time JMU played to a tie was October 25, 2015, when it closed the 2015 regular season with a 1-1 draw against William & Mary. Following that decision, the Dukes would win their three CAA Tournament matches by a goal each on their way to capturing the 2015 CAA Championship.

SENIOR SALUTE
Prior to Sunday's match, the Dukes honored the seven seniors from the 2018 campaign: Brianne Beard, Brittany Borum, Stephanie Hendrie, Olivia Miller, Hailey Stein, Christine Tack and Carmen Thomas. All seven started the match, with the group having already won 43 matches across their careers as members of the program.

UP NEXT
The top-seeded Dukes have earned a bye through to the CAA Semifinals, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28 at Sentara Park. JMU will face the winner of No. 4 College of Charleston and No. 5 Drexel, who will play their CAA Quarterfinal match at Sentara Park on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.