So now it gets interesting: after splitting a pair of weekend games against VCU and James Madison — beating the Rams and losing to the Dukes by 1-0 scores — the College of William and Mary (10-6, 4-4) sits
in fifth place in the conference.
Beginning this year, the CAA will only allow four teams into the conference tournament meaning, as of today, the Tribe would finish just outside of postseason eligibility.
“Right now it is tough because it is kind of out of our hands,” Head Coach John Daly said.
Sunday’s 1-0 loss at James Madison did not make matters any easier. The Tribe outshot the Dukes 5-1 in the first half, putting three shots on goal, without finding the back of the net.
The match remained scoreless until reigning CAA Player of the Year Corky Julian tallied in the 50th minute
from 12 yards out. Despite outshooting the Dukes 10-5 for the match, the College could not find the equalizer to Julian’s lone goal.
“It was a very even game throughout the first half,” Daly said. “I thought we had a couple of easy chances, but we didn’t put them away. Then we had three chances to clear and couldn’t clear, and they put one over
our goalkeeper’s head.”
The Tribe came out on the more favorable end of a 1-0 score Friday night, with freshman midfielder Mallory
Schaffer scoring off a rebound from the right side of the box in the 24th minute. Schaffer’s goal was her fourth of the season, and gave the Tribe a lead they would not relinquish.
“She got just outside the penalty area and shot and the shot was blocked,” Daly said. “I thought our chance had gone by, but she got the rebound ball, and shot it in the top left corner of the net.”
William and Mary now sits one point out of fourth place in the conference, and just outside a berth in the
CAA tournament. The Tribe will most likely need to win at least two of their final three matches to make the playoffs, while needing help from the teams directly in front of them: Northeastern and UNCW.
“With teams like UNCW, James Madison, Northeastern and Hofstra in front of us, we could win our last three matches and still not qualify,” Daly said.
The Tribe resumes its conference schedule against George Mason at home Friday.