JMU wins CAA Women’s Soccer Championship 3-2 over William & Mary

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (Via James Madison University) – Down by two goals at halftime, the fourth-seeded James Madison women’s soccer team scored three second-half goals to earn a 3-2 victory over second-seeded William & Mary and win the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association Championship at Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

With the game knotted at two, junior forward Sydney Braun-McLeod made a run down the right side of the field and placed a beautiful cross into the box where junior midfielder Allie Bunner calmly finished for the game-winning goal.

The Tribe (14-4-2) controlled play in the first half and entered the break with a 2-0 lead on goals by Mackenzie Kober in the 16th minute and Rachel Moore in the 39th minute. Overall, William & Mary led in shots, 17-8, but redshirt senior goalkeeper Ellen Forrest came up big once again with five saves on the night.

The Dukes (14-6-2) struck quickly in the second stanza to cut the Tribe’s lead in half. Combination passing was key on the goal as senior midfielder Kelly Kerrigan found junior defender Jennie Sroba who sent a curling cross into the 18-yard box for junior forward Ashley Herndon to slot home in the 47th minute.

Herndon then scored her second goal of the day and fourth of the tournament in the 75th minute on a cross from Bunner.

JMU will return to action next weekend thanks to an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. A selection show will take place on Monday, Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. where the Dukes’ next opponent and game time will be announced.

NOTEWORTHY
The championship is James Madison women’s soccer’s fourth in the 26-year history of the program and first since 2010. The title that season came on a 2-0 victory over the Hofstra Pride, also in Hempstead, N.Y.

CAA RECORD
The Dukes are the first team in the 21-year history of the CAA women’s soccer championship to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win.

CLIMBING THE RECORD BOARDS
With two goals today, Herndon is now tied for 11th in program history with Tasha Ellis (1995-97) for career goals with 26. With 73, she also moves past Aimee Grahe (1996-99) into 11th all-time in career points. Kerrigan also moves up the program career assists record board into 20th with 14.