HARRISONBURG, Va. – The William & Mary women's soccer team earned a hard fought 1-1 draw at James Madison on Sunday afternoon in Harrisonburg. Senior Barbara Platenberg scored W&M's marker in the 68th minute. With the result, the Tribe is now 12-3-2, 6-1-1 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Dukes conclude the regular season at 11-6-2, 5-2-2 in league action.
 
The Tribe had back-to-back chances in the 18th and 19th minutes. The first came from sophomore Rachel Moore, who snuck through a pair of Dukes defenders, before going one-versus-one with the goalie. Her chance sailed just over the crossbar. Moments later classmate Sami Grasso came charging down the right side of the box and fired her chance just high as well.
 
James Madison's first strong opportunity came off of a corner kick in the 25th minute. Ashley Herndon sent the ball in and found the head of Elissa Halik, who bounced the shot on the ground and the hop sailed over the goal.
 
W&M just missed another chance to take the lead in the 35th minute. Grasso drew a foul just inside of midfield that led to a free kick. Senior Nicole Baxter took the kick and placed a perfect ball off the head of classmate Katie Johnston. Johnston flicked her shot on target, but JMU goalkeeper Ellen Forrest made a diving stop.
 
The Dukes scored the match's first goal in the 40th minute of the match, minutes after the Tribe had a goal taken off of the board on an offside call. Kylie Hegeimer sent a long ball into the box, and the Tribe failed on a clearance. Waiting was Alyssa Zurlo, who fired her shot into the back of an empty net. The goal gave JMU a 1-0 lead.
 
Both teams exchanged shots on-goal in the opening stages of the second half. Senior Leci Irvin fired a shot on-goal in the 49th minute that was saved by Forrest. Herndon responded with a shot on-goal in the 51st minute that was saved by senior goalkeeper Caroline Casey.
 
The College found the equalizer in the 68th minute. Baxter sent a ball over the top of the JMU defense and found Platenberg. The senior dribbled forward and fired her right-footed shot into the back of the net. Her second goal of the season tied the score 1-1.
 
W&M continued to try to find the game-winner in regulation and had a pair of shots a minute apart in the 75th and 76th minute. Irvin again got open and fired a shot, before Grasso put a shot on frame. Both shots ended in the result, Forrest saves.
 
JMU had the only and best chance for a goal in the first overtime. In the 100th minute Herndon sent a header towards the frame that grazed the crossbar on the way over it.
 
In the second overtime, Zurlo nearly scored her second goal and gave the Dukes victory. In the 104th minute she turned a shot on target, but Casey came up with the stop, preserving the tie.
 
W&M had a pair of chances in the second half of the overtime period. Irvin fired a shot just wide in the 106th minute, before sophomore Haley Kent's last-ditch effort was blocked in the final minute.
 
Despite the draw, the Tribe doubled up James Madison 18-9 in shots, which included a 9-3 advantage in shots on-goal. Grasso led the Tribe with four shots, while Johnston and Irvin each finished with three shots.
 
Casey finished the day with a pair of saves for the Green and Gold. The Chesapeake, Virginia native moved into sole possession of second place with 288 career saves. She sits 39 saves away from breaking the school record of 326 saves, which is currently held by Amy McDowell (1985-88). With 12 more stops, she'd become just the second player in school history with 300 career saves.
 
With the point earned from the tie, William & Mary secured a first round bye and the No. 2 seed in the 2015 CAA Women's Soccer Tournament, which will take place at Hofstra on Friday Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 8. W&M will await the winner of the No. 3-seeded UNCW Seahawks or the No. 6-seeded Delaware Blue Hens. The Tribe can still earn a share of the regular season CAA title with a win at Elon on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m.