Tribe to Play VCU in CAA Tournament Semifinals on Friday

11/07/07 2:30PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The top-seeded William and Mary women’s soccer team will begin its quest for the Colonial Athletic Association championship when it squares off against fourth-seeded Virginia Commonwealth University in a semifinal matchup on Friday evening at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex at 7:30 p.m. The other semifinal contest will feature second-seeded Hofstra versus third-seeded James Madison at 5 p.m.

The College closed out the regular season with six straight victories to post a 9-1-1 CAA record and finished atop the conference standings for the second consecutive season. The top defensive team in the league, W&M led the conference in goals allowed (nine) and shutouts (12). Additionally, the Tribe ranked fourth nationally with a goals against average of 0.46 and a shutout percentage of 0.632.

Individually, junior Claire Zimmeck led the CAA in nearly every offensive category and ranks eighth nationally with 0.842 goals per game. Junior goalkeeper Meghan Walker also ranks among the country’s best and is sixth nationally with a 0.474 goals against average.

In addition to finishing the regular season with a six-match winning streak, the Green and Gold posted a 13-2-1 record in its final 16 contests. During that span, W&M outscored the opposition, 30-5.

The Tribe owns an impressive 23-3-2 all-time record in the CAA Tournament. Additionally, W&M has claimed the league crown nine times, while earning runner-up honors twice. Six of the seven titles were recorded in consecutive years, as the College was victorious in every championship from 1996-2001.

VCU advanced to the semifinals after defeating fifth-seeded UNC Wilmington, 3-1, on Tuesday afternoon in Richmond, Va. Myriam Bouchard scored a pair of goals, and Megan Flanagan dished out three assists in the win. Earlier this season, the Tribe earned a 1-0 triumph at VCU on Oct. 14. Senior Emily Kittleson tallied the contest’s only goal. W&M holds a 14-3-1 advantage in the all-time series.