FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  It was a heartbreaker of a game as Methodist women's soccer and visiting Salem College dueled for nearly 95 minutes before a victor was decided late Wednesday night. In a game with USA South playoff implications, it was the Spirits that came away with the 1-0 overtime win in conference action.

Salem's Alyssa Denkovich intercepted a Monarch pass, took one touch, and drilled a long-range bomb of over 35 yards with perfect placement, skirting the underside of the crossbar and above the gloves of a leaping Maggie Hunt.

If the Monarchs had managed to defeat the Spirits, Methodist would have clinched a first-round bye in the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Salem def. Methodist, 1-0 OT1
Records: Methodist 7-5-1 (4-2-1 USA South), Salem 10-5-1 (5-2)
Location: Monarch SoccerPlex; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a game this close, each team is bemoaning its opportunities to end the game in regulation.
• It looked like an early goal was going to be scored when Haley Bowles' corner in the 20th minute ricocheted off of multiple bodies and nearly crossed the goal line for a score before Salem managed to clear the ball away with only an inch of room having been spared.
• In the 54th minute, Bowles had another chance for a score but her shot skimmed the top of the crossbar.
• Meanwhile, Hunt robbed the Spirits and Martha Santos of a goal when she defeated Santos one-on-one. A perfect through ball had given Santos a running start with only Hunt to beat for a score but the goalie smothered the dangerous opportunity before Santos could get off a shot.
• Defensively, the Monarchs turned in an outstanding performance, clearing away numerous dangerous crosses and halting potential breakaways in their tracks. Salem was held to 12 shots (including just 4 in the second half) and only 4 total were on target.

STAT FACTS

• It was a game that fans of defense would absolutely love. Even though both teams combined for 21 shots, only seven were on frame. There were many examples of textbook tackles (sliding and standing) by each team despite 18 combined fouls.
• Bowles registered two of the Monarchs' shots on goal and Laura Harris earned the other.

TOURNEY WATCH

• For the regular season finale, Methodist travels to Raleigh, N.C., to take on conference foe Meredith College (5-11, 4-3 USA South) October 26 at 6 p.m. If the Monarchs defeat the Avenging Angels, they guarantee themselves at least the third seed in the East Division.
• If the tournament started tomorrow, Methodist would be the third seed, playing host in the first round to the sixth seed in the East Division. The first round is Wednesday, October 30.
• The Monarchs can still earn a first-round bye and the second seed but they would have to hope for Salem to lose at home against Mary Baldwin (5-11, 1-6 USA South).