Gawkins' Goal Gives Dukes CAA Quarterfinal Win over Charleston

Sunday, October 30

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

9-10-0, 5-4-0CAA

College of Charleston

10-7-3, 3-3-3CAA

C. of Charleston

James Madison

Gawkins' Goal Gives Dukes CAA Quarterfinal Win over Charleston

10/30/2016 5:47:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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HARRISONBURG, Va. - Junior Colleen Gawkins scored in the 70th minute to power the third-seeded James Madison women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over sixth-seeded College of Charleston in the Colonial Athletic Association quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon at Sentara Park.

The Dukes controlled possession throughout the contest, outshooting the Cougars, 12-8, as they improved to 9-10 (5-4 CAA) and advanced to their fourth consecutive CAA Semifinals in the win. Charleston, which was making its first-ever appearance in the CAA Tournament, ended its season at 10-7-3 (3-3-3 CAA).

Gawkins picked up the gamewinner, her first goal of the season, after a stellar offensive move with senior Ashley Herndon and sophomore Carmen Thomas. Herndon took a pass with her back to goal, then split a pair of defenders to find Thomas at the top of the box. Thomas drew a defender before finding Gawkins 15 yards from goal and Gawkins buried her first touch to the far post to send JMU to the semis.

Herndon and sophomore Stephanie Hendrie paced the JMU offense on the day with four shots each, with Herndon placing a pair on goal in addition to her assist.

Junior goalkeeper Maggie Buxton picked up the shutout in her fourth start of the season, recording one save and marshalling a stout defensive performance from the Dukes' backline. JMU held the Cougars to just eight total shots, with three coming from distance after Gawkins' goal.

QUOTING COACH LOMBARDO
"I'm really proud of the way we played this afternoon. College of Charleston is a good team that played a great match with a lot of motivation, but we battled all day. I'm really proud of Colleen Gawkins on her first goal of the season and Maggie Buxton did a great job in goal for us. We're excited to have another match to prepare for."

PLAY OF THE MATCH

Junior Colleen Gawkins buried this goal, her first of the season, in the 70th minute to power the third-seeded Dukes to a 1-0 win over sixth-seeded College of Charleston and punch JMU's ticket to next week's CAA Semifinals.

CLIMBING THE RECORD BOOKS
Senior Ashley Herndon continued her march up the JMU career top-10 lists with her assist on Sunday afternoon:

Goals: 4th, 37 (3rd, 39; Therese Wolden, 1995-98)
Assists: t-5th, 27 (t-5th, 27; Samantha Andersch, 1993-96 | 4th, 28; Aimee Vaughan, 1994-97)
Points: t-3rd, 101 (t-3rd, 101; Therese Wolden, 1995-98 | 2nd, 102; Corky Julien, 2006-09)

CAA TOURNAMENT
In the other CAA Quarterfinal, No. 5 William & Mary advanced past No. 4 UNCW on penalty kicks, besting the Seahawks 5-4 through six rounds of PKs after regulation ended with the sides tied 2-2. The Tribe will face No. 1 Northeastern on the Huskies' home field at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will head up to Brookline, Mass., the site of the CAA Semifinals and Finals, this weekend, where they will face second-seeded Drexel at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 4.