FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist women's soccer earned a win on Senior Day with a dominant 6-0 victory over visiting Averett University in USA South Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.

The Monarchs unleashed a barrage against the short-handed Cougars, who were playing with only nine active players. Averett held Methodist to only one first-half goal before the Monarchs overwhelmed the Cougars with 32 shots over the final 45 minutes. In total, Methodist had a 54-0 edge in shots taken as the Cougars rarely, if at all, challenged the Monarch defense and keepers.

The game showcased a perfect blend of present and future with senior Bella Nunu and freshman Tatiana Lourenco-Shiber each scoring two goals to lead the team. Nunu scored her eighth career goal in this game while Lourenco-Shiber earned her first collegiate goals.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Averett, 6-0
Records: Methodist 7-4-1 (4-1-1 USA South), Averett 0-16 (0-6)
Location: Monarch SoccerPlex; Fayetteville, N.C.
Event: Methodist University Senior Day

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Seniors Haley Bowles, Anna Rose Sink, and Nunu accounted for the game's first four goals before Lourenco-Shiber scored two late in the second half.
• Despite an 80-20 split in possession favoring the Monarchs, and launching 22 shots in the first frame, Bowles' goal in the 22nd minute stood as the half's lone score. A shot by Nunu was saved but Bowles pounced on the rebound and beat the keeper for the goal.
• Nunu opened the second half with a goal in the first minute. She returned in the 68th minute to extend the Monarchs' lead to 4-0, scoring on a header after a corner kick from Bowles.
• Lourenco-Shiber showed off her promise by placing a perfect shot past Morgann Dills from just outside the box in the 79th minute. Lourenco-Shiber was not done, scoring in the 82th minute using fancy footwork as her aid.

STAT FACTS

• Three seniors (Nunu, Haley Bowles, and Miranda Gay) earned assists as well as freshman Laura Harris and sophomore Allie Page.
• Gillian Niesel led Methodist with seven shots taken. It was a balanced diet on offense as six different Monarchs registered at least three shots on target.
• The Cougars were able to keep the game close early despite being short-handed by staying disciplined and dropping everyone back plus Dills was outstanding with 15 saves, many of them acrobatic.

SENIOR DAY
Before the game, the seven seniors from the Monarch team were honored. Miranda Gay, Sierra Swasey, Anna Rose Sink, Bella Nunu, Haley Bowles, Ally Nagel, and Haley Jones make up the class of 2020 who has won 33 games with 19 USA South Athletic Conference wins. The seven seniors have combined to start 203 games, score 44 goals, and earn 26 assists. These Monarchs helped lead Methodist to three trips to the postseason conference tournament, including a USA South title in 2017 to advance into the Division III National Tournament.
 

TOURNEY TIME

• With the USA South Conference Tournament creeping closer, the Monarchs are streaking at the right time. Methodist has not lost a game since September 28 and have won its last three games by a combined score of 15-0.
• The top six teams from each division qualifies for the tournament and the top two teams earn a bye. Currently, the Monarchs are in second place, three points behind division leader Greensboro College.

UP NEXT

• October 23 is a high-stakes conference game as a 6 p.m. win over visiting Salem College would clinch a first-round bye in the tournament.
• Averett travels to Staunton, Va. on October 23 to take on Mary Baldwin at 3 p.m. Both teams are looking for its first conference victory.