Women's Soccer | 11/7/2009 9:18:46 AM

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - After the Methodist women's soccer team opened their season at 1-4, there were many questioning how they would finish. The Monarchs went on to finish the regular season at 9-9-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the USA South Athletic Conference to earn the fifth seed in the conference tournament.

Coming into the tournament as the fifth seed sets any team up as the underdog. Nine years ago when the USA South Tournament first began, the Monarchs would have been left out with only the top four teams making tournament play. Since the tournament's inception in 2000, the Monarchs have competed every year, advancing to the championship game for the first time in 2004. Methodist made it to the finals four straight years, winning the tournament title in 2007. 

Last season No. 2 Meredith College knocked out third seeded Methodist in the semifinals before going on to win their first conference tournament championship. When the 2009 tournament seeding was finalized last Friday, the Monarchs earned their lowest seed in tournament history, setting them up to travel to their furthest conference opponent, No. 4 Shenandoah University for the quarterfinal.

After having lost to the Hornets 2-0 in the regular season, the Monarchs battled Shenandoah to a 0-0 tie through 110 minutes of regulation and overtime play before heading to a shootout late Tuesday night. Methodist prevailed 3-1 in the penalty kick shootout, the first shootout victory in three attempts over the last 10 seasons. The win set up No. 5 Methodist to face top seeded Meredith in the semifinal Friday. Having lost to the Angels twice in 2008 and earlier in 2009, the Monarchs knew they had another battle ahead. With a 2-1 win Friday afternoon, the Methodist women's soccer team eliminated the top seed and became the first fifth seeded team to advance to the tournament championship. 

Saturday's championship game pits the Monarchs against one of their arch rivals, No. 2 Christopher Newport University. The two teams have faced each other in four previous championships with the Captains holding a 3-1 edge. Earlier this season the two teams battled to a 0-0 tie through 110 minutes of play in Newport News, Va. The tournament final allows the teams to settle the tie and gives one team an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III tournament. 

Fans unable to make the trip to Martinsville, Va. can follow along through the official tournament web site. Live stats and live videostreaming will be available.