HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2010 -- Second-seeded James Madison captured its first Colonial Athletic Association Women’s Soccer Championship since 2002, upsetting #1 Hofstra 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
 
The Dukes (14-6-1), who extended their unbeaten streak to eight (7-0-1), earned the CAA’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship and will find out their first-round opponent on Monday afternoon. It was the third CAA championship for JMU (1995, 2002).
 
Hofstra (18-2), which is ranked 18th (NSCAA) nationally, saw its nation’s best 18-game winning streak come to an end, but is expected to receive an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament.  It was the first home loss for the Pride since Oct. 9, 2009.
 
JMU redshirt senior goalkeeper Diane Wszalek (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) was honored as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Performer after making five saves and earning her league-leading eight shutout of the year.  The eight shutouts tied the Dukes’ season record and she also became JMU’s all-time leader in solo shutouts with 30.  It was the first time that Hofstra had been held without a goal since its season-opening loss at nationally ranked Boston College on Aug. 27.
 
JMU jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead just 4:50 into the match. Sophomore Katie Menzie (Chantilly, Va./Chantilly) split several defenders with a beautiful through ball that found senior Cate Tisinger (Clifton, Va./Centreville) just outside the box.  Tisinger dribbled in and beat Hofstra goalkeeper Krista Thorn one-on-one to the left corner.  It was Tisinger’s fifth goal of the season.
 
Hofstra didn’t take its first shot until less than 24 minutes remained in the first half, but out-shot the Dukes 6-0 during the remainder of the period.  The Pride’s best scoring chance of the period came with 2:35 left when senior midfielder Tiffany Yovino found senior Grace Hawkins open at the right post, but Wszalek was able to knock Hawkins’ shot away.
 
The Pride nearly tied the match in the opening 90 seconds of the second half.  Junior Brittany Butts fired a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that bounced off the right post.
 
JMU extended its advantage to 2-0 in the 64th minute.  Menzie fed a pass to Tisinger about 25 yards from the goal and she was able to turn and beat a pair of defenders into the box.  Tisinger was taken down by defender Brooke Bendernagel, resulting in a penalty kick for the Dukes and a red card for Bendernagel.  Senior senor Teresa Rynier (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) fired the penalty kick into the right corner for her team-leading ninth goal of the year.
 
With Hofstra playing a man down, Tisinger continued to attack offensively.  She missed just wide from the top of the box with 19 minutes remaining and then had a 12-yard shot blocked by Pride goalkeeper Emily Morphitis just a minute later.
 
Hofstra came close to getting on the board in the 74th minute, but Hawkins’ header from 10 yards away spun wide of the right post.
 
The Pride finished with a 12-5 advantage in shots and had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
 
Wszalek was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Tisinger, Rynier and redshirt junior defender Jessica Barndt (Novi, Mich./Novi).  Hofstra was represented by Morphitis and forwards Salma Tarik and Laura Greene. Also making the squad were Kellianne Collins and Lani Huntley of Georgia State and Omolyn Davis and Kelly Thomas of George Mason.
 
CAA ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Jessica Barndt, James Madison
Kellianne Collins, Georgia State
Omolyn Davis, George Mason
Laura Greene, Hofstra
Lani Huntley, Georgia State
Emily Morphitis, Hofstra
Teresa Rynier, James Madison
Salma Tarik, Hofstra
Kelly Thomas, George Mason
Cate Tisinger, James Madison
Diane Wszalek, James Madison
 
Most Outstanding Player:  Diane Wszalek, James Madison
 
Post-Game Comments from JMU Head JMU Head Coach Dave Lombardo:

"The kids really played their hearts out.  We knew this was out only way (into the NCAA Tournament).  It was very much a team effort."

"Hofstra is very fast up front and its midfield is very strong.  We made some changes for today.  We started Elisa Davidson (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield) in back and pushed Jess Barndt up to midfield which really strengthened the midfield.  The last few games we weren't doing a good job winning air balls in midfield.  We used Katie Menzie as a target forward, and she set up the first goal and had the through ball to Cate Tisinger on the play that eventually became the penalty kick."

"Defensively (goalkeeper) Diane (Wszalek) was solid all weekend.  She didn't have all that much to do today; we didn't let them in with many easy shots."

"For me the players of the match today were Jess Barndt and Sam Lofton (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain).  Jess absolutely shut down Brittany Butts, who is a very good player for Hofstra.  Sam single-handedly took Laura Greene out of the game."