Dukes secure postseason berth

Cebulski scores winning goal

Jonathan Taylor / contributing photographer Sophomore midfielder Sarah Cebulski fights for possession Saturday against Towson.

The women’s soccer team clinched a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, defeating the Towson University Tigers 2-1 Saturday at the JMU Soccer Complex in the Dukes’ final regular season game of the year.

JMU’s win helped the team finish the season 10-6-3 overall and 5-2-2 in the conference. The Dukes have won four games in a row.

The Dukes took advantage of their first scoring opportunity, just under eight minutes into the game. Freshman midfielder Annie Lowry scored an unassisted goal with 37:05 left in the first half to put the Dukes up 1-0. After the game, coach Dave Lombardo said Lowery’s game has improved over the season.

"Annie Lowry wasn’t really a huge factor for us early in the season," Lombardo said. "Now, however, she’s really been putting us on her back these last few games."

Just 27 seconds later, Towson countered with a score of its own. On its first shot on goal of the game, the Tigers tied the score 1-1. Towson forward Lauren Windsor scored the goal, while midfielder Alison Reinhart provided the assist.

JMU dominated the first half, out-shooting Towson 7-1. The Dukes weren’t able to translate those shots into goals, however. Senior forward Katy Swindells acknowledged that this was not the team’s best effort.

"We did not show up to play," Swindells said. "Overall, it was just a very slow performance."

The Dukes missed a scoring opportunity early in the second half, when they were awarded a free kick because of a Towson yellow card. Sophomore forward Natalie Ewell missed it just wide of the goal.

The Dukes scored again with 16:25 left in the game to take the lead 2-1. Junior midfielder Karly Skladany scored the game-winning goal, with Lowry providing the assist.

After the game, JMU junior goalie Jessica Hussey gave credit to her defense for allowing her to have a relatively easy time in goal.

"Our defense really played amazing," Hussey said. "Thanks to them, I really didn’t have many shots on goal to worry about."

The Dukes’ fourth-straight victory gives the team some steam heading into the CAA tournament.

"It’s huge for us to have this type of momentum going into the CAAs," Lombardo said. "Not only are we winning games, but we’re playing really well with the timely goals we’ve been getting, and we’re really peaking at the right time."

With this being the last game of the regular season, the game had the potential to be the last home game for JMU’s seniors: Swindells, defender Bryant Karpinski and forward Christy Metzker.

"Before the game, we emphasized the fact that just because it’s senior day here, does not mean it’s the end of your careers," Lombardo said. "They’ve still got a CAA tournament to play and, hopefully, a berth in the NCAAs to look forward to."

JMU’s seniors have at least one more home game. The Dukes host the George Mason University Patriots Tuesday in the opening round of the CAA tournament Tuesday at 7 p.m.