FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 contest to N.C. Wesleyan to end its regular season at Monarch Stadium on Wednesday night.
 
With the result, the Monarchs move to 12-5-1 on the season and 8-3-0 in conference play. MU has clinched the No. 3 seed in the East for the conference tournament. Meanwhile, the Battling Bishops finish 12-5-0 with a 10-1 mark in league action. With the result, NCWC clinches first place in the East and the top seed.
 
The two sides combined for seven shots in the first half with the first chance on goal coming in the 43rd minute that was grabbed by MU goalkeeper Jonathan Moore. With neither team able to score, the game went into halftime scoreless.
 
In the second half, the Bishops tallied the eventual game-winning goal after Sheriff Secka was able to beat a diving defender and goalkeeper to notch his sixth goal of the season. The best chance for the Monarchs occurred in the 77th minute as Conor Morris had an open shot that went wide. The Bishops were able to hold on for the 1-0 victory.
 
Moore made three saves in all 90 minutes for the Monarchs, while Jordan Williams pushed aside two shots.
 
N.C. Wesleyan outshot the Green and Gold by an 11-9 margin, while MU held a slight edge in corner kicks, 3-2. In an aggressive contest, a total of four yellow cards were given and a combined 25 fouls were called during the action.
 
With the No. 3 seed in the East in the USA South Tournament, Methodist will travel to face the No. 2 seed, Greensboro, in the first round of the tournament on Saturday, Oct. 28 scheduled to begin at 3 pm.