HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Senior Katie Johnston scored the game-winning goal in the 47th minute as the William & Mary women's soccer team advanced to the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association championship match for the first time since the 2011 season. With the win, the Tribe improves to 14-3-2 overall, while the Seahawks fall to 14-6-1.
 
W&M fired four shots in the first period, but only one of the chances was on frame. In the 18th minute Johnston turned a shot on frame, but UNCW goalkeeper Carolyn Huddy was there for the stop.
 
Despite looking dangerous early on the first half, UNCW was limited to just two shots in the first half. The best came as the first half clock hit zero, when Maddy McCormick's last ditch effort had to be saved by senior goalkeeper Caroline Casey.
 
Just two minutes into the second stanza the Tribe got on the scoreboard. Senior Nicole Baxter lined up a corner kick and sent an arching ball into the box that found the head of Johnston. The senior directed the ball into the left corner of the net, giving W&M a 1-0 lead.
 
Following the goal, W&M locked in on the offensive side, and just missed some chance for a second goal. In the 49th minute, Baxter and Johnston linked up on another corner, but Huddy made the stop for the Seahawks. In the 53rd and 54th minute, Johnston had two more chances, but pushed each shot wide left.
 
UNCW had a couple of chances in the 57th minute and the 59th minutes. Off of a corner kick Stephanie Bronson sent a shot that sailed wide of the goal. Moments later, Bronson took a shot, this time on target, but Casey was there for the stop.
 
W&M poured another offensive onslaught over the course of three minutes following the Seahawk chances. Junior Clara Logsdon redirected a corner kick towards the goal, but the chance was stopped by a UNCW defender. The rebound bounced to the foot of Johnston, but her shot sailed high. The final chance came on a shot from sophomore Elysse Branton, but again Huddy was there for the save.
 
UNCW had one final corner kick in the 85th minute, but the Tribe defense stood strong and cleared the ball to safety.
 
The Tribe held a 13-7 advantage in shots during the match, which also included a 4-2 lead in shots on-goal. Johnston fired a match-high six shots, while sophomore Sami Grasso, Logsdon, and Branton each fired two shots.
 
Casey recorded a pair of saves in her 10th shutout of the season. Her two saves bring her 292 career saves, while the shutout is the 28th of her career, moving the senior into third place in school history all by herself.
 
W&M posted its 14th win of the season, which are the most wins for the Tribe since the 2012 season. Also with the win, W&M moves its unbeaten streak to nine, and its winning streak to two matches.
 
The Green and Gold advance to the Sunday, Nov. 8 championship match and will take on the the No. 4-seeded James Madison Dukes. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m., and will air on the American Sports Network and CAA.TV.