HARRISONBURG, Va. – A James Madison goal late in the second half proved to be the game-winner as the College of Charleston women's soccer team fell in the Colonial Athletic Association semifinal, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars finish the season at 11-8-2 having also made history as the first team since the program's switch to the CAA to make the semifinal round of the conference championship.
 
The game opened as an even affair with both teams attempting to hold possession. The best chance for the Cougars coming after Maddy Brill-Edwards played in Alyssa Beck on the right wing, Beck's mis-hit cross striking the crossbar and bouncing clear.

In the 12^th minute James Madison took the lead. Genevieve Henderson reacted quickly to get down and push a 20-yard effort to her left but JMU's Stephanie Hendrie reacted quickest to put away the rebound.

Charleston responded minutes later. Laura Ortega whipped a free-kick into the box from the left wing, Raymara Barreto rising highest to head past the advancing goalkeeper and level the game with her second goal of the season.

Ortega came close in the 20^th minute, a 25-yard free-kick striking the top of the crossbar and out of play.

Mackenzie Crittenberger very nearly gave Charleston the lead midway through the second half. The sophomore turned her marker on the right wing, cut across the top of the box, beat another Dukes defender before whipping an effort that struck the crossbar and bounced clear.

As the game entered the final stages, JMU found the game-winner. An effort from the top of the box hit the crossbar and bounced into the path of Haley Crawford who stuck away the rebound first time for the 2-1 lead.

Charleston pushed for the leveler, Barreto nearly getting her toe on the end of a cross with another effort inside the box blocked, but James Madison held out for the win.

The College finish the season with an 11-8-1 record, 5-3-1 in CAA play, becoming the first team in program history to reach the CAA semifinal game.

Ortega closes out her career as a Cougar holding multiple program records including all-time career points with 76, all-time goals with 27 and tied for first in all-time assists with 22.

Henderson also closes her career in multiple goalkeeping records including 5^th most minutes played, she's tied-6^th in solo shutouts and in the top-ten in both goals against average and save percentage.
 
Quotable – Head Coach Christian Michner
"A lot of emotions right now as our season comes to an end… This was a special team with a group of seniors that has meant so much to this program. I feel for them right now as I know how much they wanted this and how hard they worked for this. It was a very good game and I felt we created enough quality chances to win by a goal or two, but we didn't finish them, that was the difference. We hit the crossbar a few times and were knocking on the door on several occasions. I'm proud to coach this amazing group of women. They represented themselves, the program and the College with honesty, integrity and excellence and that makes me very proud."

Notables
• Charleston reached the first CAA semifinal in program history
• Raymara Barreto scored her second goal of the season
• Laura Ortega grabbed her sixth assist of the season; the assist moved her into a tie for first in all-time career assists
• Six student-athetes played the full 90 minutes
• Seniors Laura Ortega, Raymara Barreto, Sara Deutsch, Meredith Tunney, Maddy Brill-Edwards, Paige Davis, Genevieve Henderson, Ali Freitas and Ana Lesmes close out their careers at The College.