FOLEY, Ala. – The ULM soccer team (9-8-3, 3-5-3 SBC) dropped the Sun Belt Quarterfinals match to the one-seeded Dukes (10-3-5, 8-0-3 SBC) in penalty kicks. The Warhawks held James Madison to a tied shutout in regulation time and in both overtime periods. 
 
The first half remained fairly uneventful, the Warhawks tallying five corner kicks throughout the first 45 minutes. Bernadett Stefan logged two shots and Giulia Franco had a close call that was ultimately saved by Dukes goalkeeper Sofia DeCerb. The half was also riddled with fouls, two yellow cards handed to ULM and one going to James Madison. Both teams were unable to hit the back of the net, ending the half in a 0-0 draw.
 
The second half was similar to the first, with the Dukes racking up shots but unable to find a goal and the Warhawks powering ahead in defensive plays. Handy tallied two more saves, with defenders Ally Richardson and Leane Commaret blocking shots left and right. After 90 minutes of regulation, both teams remained scoreless and faced overtime.
 
The Dukes and the Warhawks headed through two 10-minute golden goal overtime periods. While the Dukes maintained offensive and placed seven shots through both overtime periods, ULM refused to back down and give up a goal. 
 
After two overtime periods, the teams moved forward with penalty kicks. Richardson took the first penalty for ULM, just missing, with James Madison's Ginny Lackey missing as well. Emelie Kobler made the second shot, with Amanda Attanasi missing hers, putting ULM ahead. In the third round, Beth Strutton missed her shot, with Tali Rovner scoring, making it a tie game again. In the fourth round, Jaden Masters and the Dukes' Sophia Verrecchia made theirs, maintaining the tie. The fifth round following suit, with Janne Van Brummelen and Ellie Farrell making their shots. It all came down to the sixth round, where Stefan missed her shot for the Warhawks and Jamie Swartz made hers, giving James Madison the win.
 
After four periods of play, the Dukes led in shots, 16-6 and corner kicks, 9-7. Handy led in saves, with four, with a team save making the total five to James Madison's two. Both teams tied in fouls with six apiece. Stefan and Franco led in shots with two each, Franco having one on goal.
 
In all, this season has been record-breaking in multiple aspects. From opening the season breaking six single-game records, to Mara Grutkamp ending the regular season by reaching the top spot in career assists and points, this team has aimed high and achieved many of their goals. Over the season, the 2024 ULM soccer team ranks first in shutouts (8), fifth in goals (37) and third in wins (9). Goalkeeper Handy finishes tied for first in season shutouts (7) and seventh in goals-against average (1.34) as a true freshman.