Spiders end Dukes' NCAA run

FILE PHOTO / Julie Withers Freshman forward No. 19 Kim Argy (right) scored the only goal for JMU in Friday's 1-0 win over the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. The Dukes fell to the University of Richmond 1-0 Sunday, knocking them out of the NCAA tournament.

After knocking off host University of North Carolina-Charlotte in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 1-0 Friday night, JMU fell to the University of Richmond 1-0 Sunday in Charlotte, N.C., eliminating the Dukes from the NCAA Tournament.

Both teams remained deadlocked at the half, but Richmond's Annette Isham put the Spiders on the board with a shot fed by Jenna Merriam in the 79th minute.

JMU attempted to rally in the final minutes, but was stopped cold, allowing the Spiders to hold off the Dukes in rainy conditions.

"This was a game of wills," coach Dave Lombardo said in a Sunday press release after the game. "We had some chances early in the game but we were unable to put the ball away. You have to give Richmond credit. They really picked up the pace in the second half and put us under a lot of pressure. I felt going into the game that this could be a high-scoring game due to the weather conditions. But going into the second half, I felt that one goal would be the difference and that is what happened."

The Dukes, who finish the season 13-8-3, advanced to the second round of the tournament with their shutout Friday over the 49ers.

JMU freshman Kim Argy, the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, nailed the only goal for the Dukes. Argy headed the ball in on a corner kick in the 62nd minute, which proved to be the game winner for JMU.

--from staff reports