FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist women's soccer season ended Friday night in the USA South Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament semifinals. As the host institution, they lost 3-1 to the visiting Scots of Covenant College at Duggins Soccer Stadium.
The Monarchs finish their season with a record of 13-2. They went undefeated in conference action with a spotless 9-0 mark.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Covenant def. Methodist, 3-1
Records: Methodist 13-2, Covenant 12-5-2
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Covenant was the first to strike and take a 1-0 advantage in the 23rd minute. The Scots keeper Lucy Sandhoff launched a goal kick past midfield that took a couple of big bounces. On the receiving end of a bounce was Kailey Burrell, who one touched it to Mae Pierce.
- That touch gave Pierce a one-on-one opportunity with Methodist's goalie Caley Justice. Justice would come out to charge the ball when a small slip on the grass gave Pierce her chance to take the shot for the goal.
- Just as the first half was winding down the Monarchs scored the equalizer. A ball put into the box where a mash of soccer players from both sides were trying to gain control. Luckily, for Methodist Laura Harris found it and beat the Sandhoff to her right to tie it at 1-1 in the 44th minute.
- Coming into the second half the momentum seem to be in the Monarchs favor. That would change a little over four minutes later. Burrell of the Scots once again found herself with the ball and was moving toward Methodist's net. After drawing a Monarch defender and keeper, she passed the ball off to Rachel Wall for an open net goal, the eventual game-winner.
- Covenant added an insurance goal in the 88th minute to put the game out of reach for Methodist. Emma Riggs crossed up a Monarch defender before beating the goalie to her left on a one-on-one chance.
NUMBERS
- Methodist had plenty chances to tie the game in the second half. They outshot the Scots 17-5 in the second half but none of those shots found the back of the net.
- The Monarchs also dominated the possession element of the game. The proof of this came in their corner kick chances, 7-1.
- Madison Brunson took a game-high seven shots in the game. Four other Methodist players also had multi-shot games.