That's what happened this weekend, though, as the GW women's soccer team lost to Massachusetts in the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the fifth straight year.
This year, GW (13-6-2) lost to first-seeded UMass 1-0 in the final of the tournament, the same score the Minutewomen beat the Colonial women by in last season's A-10 semifinals.
It is likely that the loss ended GW's season, with more automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament being given to conference champions. The new system allows little room for potential at-large bids like GW to make their way into the tournament.
Also this weekend, three GW players were honored by the A-10 Conference. Senior forward Chemar Smith, who became the school's all-time leading point and goal scorer this season, was named first team All-Conference. Senior midfielder Carri Sellers and freshman midfielder Lauren Papalia made second team All-Conference.
UMass 1, GW 0
UMass' Kara Green blasted a shot into the corner of GW's net with less than 10 minutes left in regulation to beat the Colonial women and win the A-10 Championship held at Xavier.
With the win, UMass (17-4) earned a spot in the 1997 NCAA Tournament field.
GW stuck with the Minutewomen all game, though, as the team was only outshot 12-10. GW goalie Traci Jensen made six saves in the game, while Jane Andersen had four of the Colonial women's shots.
GW 2, Xavier 1
Jane Andersen scored four minutes into overtime to lift GW to a 2-1 victory over Xavier in the semifinals of the A-10 Tournament.
Carri Sellers directed a free kick to Andersen at the 93:59 mark, which the junior forward put in the goal to put the Colonial women in the finals of the tournament.
GW jumped in front early when Andersen sent a blast past Xavier goalie Ann Hubbard, who made saves on nine of the Colonial women's shots, at the 5:44 mark.
Xavier came back to tie the game with less than eight minutes left to go in regulation time. Holly Grow headed in a pass from Amanda Gruber to tie the score and force overtime.
The Colonial women had the better opportunities offensively, outshooting the Musketeers 19-14, although GW's top two scorers coming into the game, Chemar Smith and Lauren Papalia, each had four shots but no points.
