TOWSON, Md. – The William and Mary women's soccer team dropped its regular season finale 2-0 at Towson on Sunday afternoon. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 11-5-1 overall and 5-4 in CAA play, but will host a CAA quarterfinal next weekend by finishing fourth in the league. Towson improved to 6-8-4 and secured a spot in the CAA Tournament with a 3-4-2 conference mark.
Towson opened the match with early pressure, and was able to score the match's first goal. In just the second minute, Sofia Read placed a shot on target but it was turned away by junior goalkeeper Caroline Casey. In the 11th minute Read had another shot blocked, but the rebound landed on the foot of Natalia Pinkney. She collected the ball and fired a shot from left side of the box into the right corner of the goal. The tally gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
W&M had its first chance of the half in the 13th minute of the match. Junior Barbara Platenberg found some space and turned a header on target but Towson's Erin Quinn was there for the save. On the ensuing corner kick, the Tigers were able to clear the ball to safety.
The Tigers looked to push their lead to two goals with a chance in the 24th minute. Vasthy Delgado unleashed a shot on target, but Casey stood strong and made the stop for the Tribe.
Towson doubled its lead with just over five minutes left in the first period. After a W&M foul, Delgado lined up a free kick from 20 yards out that found the head Marissa Green. Green's header ended up in the back of the net giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
TU came out of the gates in the second half firing the first two shots of the period. Natalia Pinkney sailed her shot high. Moments later Delgado had her chance blocked.
The Tribe's first chance in the second half came off of a corner kick. Freshman Rachel Moore sent in the corner that found her classmate Haley Kent. Kent's attempt was blocked, and Towson adverted damage.
W&M continued its pressure into the middle stages of the second half. Senior Aly Shaughnessy fired a shot that was turned away by Quinn. Moments later freshman Sami Grasso had a chance, but she pushed her shot wide.
Casey recorded six saves in goal for the Tribe on Sunday afternoon. Offensively, Camper, Shaughnessy, and junior Leci Irvin each fired a team-high two shots for the Tribe.
W&M will be the No. 4 seed in this year's Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. The Green and Gold will host No. 5 seed Drexel on Sunday, Nov. 2 at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. More information on the match will be announced on TribeAthletics.com
