MORGANTOWN, W. Va., Nov. 16 - It took just a one-minute burst from James Madison's attackers to send the Quakers' dream season to a screeching halt.
The women's soccer team came into its first round game of the NCAA College Cup on a roll, having won eight of its last nine games. But two quick second-half goals sealed the game for the Dukes, 2-0.
The Red and Blue (13-4-1) held their athletic counterparts under control for much of the match, dominating possession.
"We knew that they would have a lot more of the ball but we were hoping that our athleticism would open the game up and it did," James Madison coach Dave Lombardo said.
The Quakers came out of halftime looking flat and the Dukes were quick to take advantage. Just over four minutes into the frame, forward Annie Lowry turned on a Melanie Schaffer cross and got just enough on her shot to send it past a diving Cailly Carroll.
The goal was the result of a lapse in the Penn defense, which gave Lowry just enough space to bounce the ball into the left corner of the net.
"It was just kind of a miscommunication on our part and they were good at finishing it," defender Eileen Larkin said.
Quakers coach Darren Ambrose said the goal may have shocked his team - and the Dukes didn't wait long to punish Penn again. 49 seconds later, Cate Tisinger one-timed a Lowry cross and drilled it into the same bottom left corner, giving James Madison (17-4-1) a commanding two-goal advantage.
The Dukes' aggression in the opening minutes of the second half was reminiscent of the early moments of the first. The speed and athleticism of their forwards was apparent from the opening whistle as Penn defenders struggled to keep up with them.
"It showed us quickly what they were trying to do and we adjusted very well and after that it didn't cause any trouble," Ambrose said.
Lombardo said he was impressed with Penn's technical play, complementing the Quakers on their ability to control possession and their organization on offense. But James Madison was always the more dangerous attacking side.
"We had numerous free kicks and corners and opportunities to serve a ball into a dangerous position to test their goalkeeper and we didn't," Ambrose said. "Unfortunately we weren't able to test her consistently and that was the difference."
Penn kept the pressure on during its attempt at a comeback, pushing players forward and keeping the ball on James Madison's side of the field. The Quakers even had a goal called back for offsides after Dukes goalkeeper Stephanie Poucher coughed up a cross in front of goal.
But the Dukes kept Penn's attacking players frustrated, especially leading scorer Jessica Fuccello, who was afforded little space throughout the game.
The Penn players were clearly disappointed after the final whistle, but the team's leaders took solace in the team's accomplishments during the regular season.
"I think we also got our feet wet a little bit now and we know we can come back again next year if we put in the effort," Larkin added.
And with no seniors on the squad, a return trip to the Tournament is a realistic goal.
