KINGSTON, R.I. – The St. Bonaventure women's soccer team surrendered a goal in the 76th minute, and that was all 4th-seeded Butler needed to down the 5th-seeded Bonnies in the Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinal Round Thursday afternoon, 1-0.

After allowing the late tally to the Bulldogs, Bonaventure's best chance to score came with just 30 seconds remaining when redshirt senior Shannon Van Riper's final career shot rattled off the crossbar.

The Bonnies conclude their season with an 8-11-1 overall record, but not before advancing to their fifth straight A-10 Championship – something that only Charlotte and Dayton have also done. After starting the season 0-6-1, and also 0-2 in the A-10, the Bonnies finished 5-2 over their final seven games to qualify for postseason play.

"When you start out 0-6-1 and only score three goals through the first eight games, then go 8-4 down the stretch – including winning three straight to finish the year – I told our team that they accomplished some great things," head coach Manoj Khettry said. "However, our focus needs to turn from not just getting to the A-10 Championship – because we've proven we can do that – but how we can get to the next level and be a consistent winner once at the A-10 Championship."

Butler's Kelly Mahoney provided the game-winner for the Bulldogs as she finished a set-piece cross in front of the net from Elise Kotsakis, with the secondary assist being credited to Stephanie Kaylor.

In a battle which was played a majority of the time in the middle third of the pitch, the two teams combined for just three total shots on goal, including just one – off the foot of freshman Abby Maiello – in the first half. Bonaventure completed more than 100 passes than Butler, but according to Khettry lacked the finishing touch to find the back of the net.

"We weren't as dynamic on the offensive side as we have been of late," Khettry surmised. "We were able to control and move the ball around the midfield, but we were just missing that final pass and cross.

"We needed a little bit more desire," Khettry continued. "However, while I'm disappointed in the result, we did play well."

The Bulldogs entered the game as the stingiest defense in the league in terms of goals allowed, and they lived up to that at the URI Soccer Complex, as they have now surrendered just 14 over their 20 games this season.

BU keeper Julie Burton made just one save en route to earning her seventh shutout of the year, while SBU's Katie Kerkman also made one stop. With the win, Butler advances to the semifinals where it will meet top-seeded La Salle on Friday evening.

The loss brings to a close the career of five Bona seniors: Van Riper, Kerkman, Nicole Rosso, Maureen Madden and Jennifer Andrews. That group becomes the second SBU graduating class to advance to the A-10 Championship every year of their careers.

GAME NOTES: Neither coach went deep into their bench as Khettry used just three substitutes and Butler made two subs … the Bulldogs had a total shot advantage of 11-7 … SBU held a 3-2 corner advantage … the Bonnies committed 10 fouls, while BU was whistled for nine … Butler also had a shot hit the crossbar, that one coming late in the first half.