Williamstown, MA ... The College of New Jersey women's soccer team fell one game short of reaching the national semifinal as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Williams College in the NCAA regional championship match on Sunday.
 
The Ephs (20-1-1) scored the lone goal of the game at the 51:14 mark. Sophomore Audrey Thomas took a feed from classmate Kristi Kirsche and deposited her 16^th goal of the season. Williams now advances to the national semifinal in Kansas City, MO where they will take on the winner of the Illinois Wesleyan and Centre College game.
 
The outcome ended a streak of 11 consecutive games without a loss for the Lions. They finished another outstanding season with a final record of 18-3-1.
 
Senior Kendra Griffith (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) capped a brilliant career in goal by stopping seven shots in the match. Williams entered the contest with 57 goals this season and challenged TCNJ's defense throughout the game, holding an 18-10 advantage in shots.
 
Both teams had opportunities in a scoreless first half. Early in the game, sophomore Christine Levering (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) sent a dangerous ball across the goal mouth from the right side. Senior Korrie Harkins (Wenonah, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) was streaking into the box, but Ephs goalkeeper Hannah Van Wetter was able to come out an intercept the pass before Harkins could get a foot on it.
 
With 18:40 remaining in the period, Harkins made a run with the ball and split two defenders to move into the box on the left side. She knocked a pass in front to Levering running in, but a Williams' defender made a great, sliding effort to break up the play.
 
The Ephs had their best chance with 7:30 to play in the half. The Lions avoided a near disaster when Griffith took a direct kick from 35 yards out. On her approach, she slipped on the grass and as she struck the ball and it rolled to Kirsche. She immediately controlled and chipped the ball over the head of Griffith and toward the open goal. The ball trickled just wide and nipped the post
 
Williams broke the scoreless tie shortly after the intermission with 38:42 remaining. Thomas put away the game-winner off a pass from Kirsche for the game's only tally.
 
The Lions didn't go quietly and produced a couple solid chances. With a little over 15 minutes remaining, Levering took a pass out to the left from Harkins and she ripped a shot towards the near post that was grabbed by Van Wetter. Levering had another chance off a direct kick from 25 yards out, but her shot sailed high.
 
The post-season competition marked the 24th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance for TCNJ and Head Coach Joe Russo. The Lions have won three national titles and competed in seven national final games in program history.