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BOCA RATON, Fla. ÃÆ'¢Ã¢'¬" A perfectly-placed free kick.

A couple inches left or right and who knows what the end result would have been between No. 4 Louisiana Tech and No. 8 Charlotte in the Conference USA Tournament semifinals.

Nevertheless, the free kick clanked off the inside post and went into the net instead of back into play which ultimately led to a 1-0 loss for the Lady Techsters to the 49ers on Friday evening at FAU Soccer Stadium.

The loss, only the third of the 2017 season which started 22 games ago in mid-August, put an end to what was arguably the greatest year in LA Tech women's soccer (a program that began in 2004).

"The first half was one of the worst we have played all season," head coach Kevin Sherry said. "Thanks to Courtney in goal, we managed to survive. The second half was much better from a commitment level and we were right in the game. Sadly, the ball didn't break for us and we lost to a great piece of skill from a free kick.

"It was a great season; one we should feel very proud about."

Charlotte (11-8-1) was not your typical bottom seed in a tournament. The defending tourney champions and preseason No. 2 pick carried their momentum from the upset win over top-seed Rice in the quarterfinals and came out firing in the semis.

The LA Tech (14-3-5) defense had to withstand four corner kicks in the first nine minutes of action. The 49ers also had two prime chances inside the box in the first half. Luckily, goalkeeper Courtney Tompkins was up for the challenge.

The junior came up huge with two terrific saves on shots from close range about 10 minutes into the match. Then at the midway point of the first period, she came off her line and denied the two-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Year Martha Thomas who split the center backs and had a 1v1 chance.

The Lady Techsters were much more in sync to start the second half, controlling much of the possession and trying to crack the Charlotte back line.

A take down from behind in the 60th minute gave Charlotte a scoring opportunity they took advantage of. Straight on from 30 yards out, Thomas converted on the free kick just out of the reach of a diving Tompkins that got the 49ers on the scoreboard.

Just like in the quarterfinals, LA Tech now trailed with 30 minutes to go. However, they could not produce another comeback this time, bringing to an end a nine-game unbeaten streak and a season that registered program records for fewest losses (three) and fewest league losses (one).

Charlotte had a 13-11 shot advantage and a 5-2 corner kick advantage. Senior Nomvula Kgoale led the Lady Techsters with five shots, playing the full 90 minutes along with six of her fellow teammates.

Tompkins registered six saves in net.

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