HARRISONBURG, Va. – Hofstra University and James Madison University men battled to a 1-1 tie but the Dukes advanced on penalty kicks in the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals at Sentara Park Sunday.
James Madison converted four kicks to Hofstra’s three.
In the penalty kicks, each team saw its first attempt saved. Then each of the next three shots were good for both squads. But goalkeeper T.J. Bush stopped Hofstra’s fifth attempt and Fernando Casero followed with a successful conversion for the game-winner.
Third-seeded Hofstra saw its season end at 10-6-3. No. 2 James Madison moved 10-6-3 and will face top-seeded UNCW in the CAA Finals Saturday in Wilmington, N.C.
The score was tied at one at halftime after an opening 45 minutes that saw the Pride accrue 8-4 lead in shots.
The Dukes opened the scoring at 8:35 as Manuel Ferriol scored on a penalty kick following a Hofstra handball in the box. The CAA player of the year put his attempt inside the left post to put James Madison on top.
The Pride answered at 19:53. Storm Strongin passed to Adam Savill, cutting into the left side of the box. Savill sent a pass across to Hendrik Hebbeker on the right side. Hebbeker took a touch before sliding his shot past Bush to tie the score.
The second half saw a few chances for each team, but neither team could break through. Bush made three saves in the second half while Hofstra keeper Alex Ashton had two.
