MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- The Methodist University women's soccer team claimed the USA South Women's Soccer Championship with a 1-0 overtime victory against Meredith on Saturday evening.
 
With the win, the Monarchs (9-10) avenge their loss to MC (14-5) from earlier this season and earn their second conference tournament championship in program history, and the first since 2007. It was the third time in five years that MU advanced to the finals of the league tournament.
 
In the overtime period, Emily Borel received a pass from Haley Bowles and was able to sneak a shot past the near post between the hands of the Avenging Angels' goalkeeper Jaisa Loch for the game-winning goal in the 95th minute.
 
The game marked the second time in the last three seasons that the Monarchs and the Avenging Angels met in the USA South Tournament with MU earning a victory in each contest by a 1-0 score. Earlier this season, the Monarchs, who were the No. 4 seed in the East, dropped a 2-1 contest to the Avenging Angels, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the East. The two teams have now split the last 10 matches in the series.
 
The first half saw each team exchanging scoring chances as the Monarchs first almost saw the back of the net in the 20th minute. Jasmine Newman collected a ball at the top of the box and fired a shot that forced Loch to dive to her left to make the stop. A minute later, Caitlyn Shea nearly put MU on the board with a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced away. In the 33rd minute, Kayla Boudreau almost beat the Methodist goalkeeper Emily Benton as she took a cross six yards out of the crease and narrowly missed the target with her shot. At the end of the period, Methodist outshot the Avenging Angels, 9-4, including holding MC to only one shot on goal.

In the second period, Kistie King nearly gave MC the lead after a free kick from about 30 yards was put on target in the 63rd minute. Minutes later, Benton was forced to make a diving stop off a free kick to preserve to tie game. Toward the end of the second half, Anna Voigt had an open shot on goal that was blocked away by an Angel's defender in the 80th minute.
 
For the game, MU outshot MC 16-11, while also holding an edge in corner kicks, 5-1.
 
Benton made three saves in the win, while Loch had to push aside seven shots in the contest. The teams combined for 15 fouls and two yellow cards in the close, aggressive contest.
 
Overall, Capri Clark, Jasmine Newman, Haley Bowles, Sierra Swasey and Borel were each named to the All-Tournament team. In addition, Borel was named the Tournament MVP for her efforts across the last several games, scoring two game-winning goals in the league's postseason.
 
Methodist will learn who it faces on Monday, Nov. 6, as the NCAA Women's Soccer Division III Selection Show takes place at 1 pm.
 
 
 
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