MISENHEIMER, N.C.  The Monarchs earned their first win of the 2020-21 season with a 3-1 victory over host Pfeiffer University in USA South Athletic Conference women's soccer action Tuesday evening.

It took all of three minutes of game time for Methodist to gain a lead on the Falcons, thanks to an Aiden Sherry-to-Laura Harris connection. Taking a 2-0 lead into halftime, courtesy of a Tatiana Lourenco-Shiber unassisted tally, the Monarchs made sure to never relinquish their lead.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Pfeiffer, 3-1
Records: Methodist 1-0-1 (1-0-1 USA South); Pfeiffer 0-1-1 (0-1-1)
Location: Lefko Field; Misenheimer, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sherry shredded Pfeiffer's defense with a killer through ball that left Harris streaking for a one-on-one opportunity against the Falcons' goalie, who Harris beat for a goal in the left corner.
• Goal No. 2 was a thing of beauty for Lourenco-Shiber. In the 30th minute, she received the ball at midfield and dribbled past four defenders plus a charging goalkeeper for the score.
• Sherry put Methodist ahead 3-0 in the 69th minutes when she caught a Falcons' defender flat-footed and intercepted a pass before sending a moon shot over the goalie for the Monarchs' third goal.
• Kayla Blankenship finally got the Falcons on the board in the 81st when she scored on a penalty kick.

NUMBERS

• Methodist had a 15-10 shot advantage over Pfeiffer and a 9-6 edge in shots on target.
• Harris led the Monarchs' attack with five shots and three on target.
• Maggie Hunt had five saves for Methodist and Haley Zoltoski had six saves for Pfeiffer.

NEXT UP

• The Monarchs have their home opener on Friday, February 26 at 4 p.m. when they host Mary Baldwin University in USA South Athletic Conference play. This year will be the second consecutive season that the Methodist women's soccer team is hosting a Play4Kay game. The event is aimed at raising money for women's cancers. Donations are still being accepted, with all proceeds forwarded to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
• Pfeiffer's next game is against visiting Meredith College on Saturday, February 27 at 1 p.m.