Hempstead, NY – Loes Stijnjes and Danni Wilson scored first half goals and the Dukes fought off a late Pride rally as James Madison defeated Hofstra, 2-1 in the Colonial Athletics Association regular season finale at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The JMU victory secured a spot for the Dukes in the four-team, CAA Championship that begins on Friday at a site to be determined later Sunday. The loss eliminated the Pride from Championship contention as Hofstra concludes their season with a 12-7 overall record and a 3-3 slate in the CAA. JMU is now 11-7 on the year and 3-3 in conference play.

Hofstra Stella Schoen recorded her sixth goal of the game, off a rebound in front, with just 56 seconds to play in the contest to cut the Pride's deficit to 2-1. But Hofstra, which pulled their freshman goalie Carys Swan (3 saves with 8:01 to play in favor of an extra attacker, could not score the equalizer.

James Madison senior goalie Hannah George recorded seven saves in the contest including five in the second half when the Pride outshot the Dukes, 10-4. George also received some help from senior defender Dana Allaband, who made a diving defensive save in the second half, and her goalpost after Hofstra sophomore Claudia Marin Samper bounced a shot off the pipe late in the second half.

The Dukes got on the board just 8:44 into the game as Stijntjes scored from near the top of the circle on a penalty corner for a 1-0 lead. Wilson made it 2-0 at the 25:25 mark, tipping in Saskia Chelmowski's pass.

Hofstra put some pressure on the Dukes in the second half but George and the JMU defense stood tall despite playing against the extra man for the final eight minutes.  Hofstra outshot James Madison, 15-12 in the contest and had four penalty corners to the Dukes three.

The loss ended the careers of three Hofstra seniors, Holly Andrews, Marta Penas and Jonel Boileau, all four-year letterwinners who have each played more than 75 games during their Pride careers. All three and their parents were honored in pregame ceremonies. Boileau, who has tallied 48 goals and 18 assists for 114 points, will leave Hofstra ranking third in goals, fourth in points and seventh in assists for her career.