FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  After an undefeated 5-0-1 record through the regular season, the top-seeded Monarchs were upended by visiting Pfeiffer University, 2-0, Saturday night in the USA South Women's Soccer East Division Semifinals.

The loss came despite the Monarchs owning a 21-5 advantage in shots taken.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Pfeiffer, 2-0
Records: Methodist 5-1-1; Pfeiffer 4-2-2
Location: Duggins Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.
Event: USA South East Division Semifinals

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Pfeiffer's first goal came in the 20th minute, scoring on just their second shot attempt. The play was set up Dayanna Riera intercepting a pass by a Methodist defender and crossing the ball low to Cayci Eaton in the middle of the box, who beat Maggie Hunt to the low left corner.
• The Falcons made their mark on the second half after just 75 seconds. A minute and 15 seconds into the final period, Eaton scored again for a 2-0 Pfeiffer lead. The Falcons won possession at midfield and Hunt was unable to come away with the interception on a Jessica Vazquez cross, leading to an open-net goal for Eaton.
• In the 48th minute, Methodist had a good chance to steal some momentum. An Aiden Sherry through-ball nearly found a streaking Laura Harris but Pfeiffer's goalkeeper Madison Riddle raced to the top of the penalty box and cleared the ball from Harris' reach.
• Another near Methodist goal came in the final minute of the game. After Madison Rizer crossed the ball to Sherry, Riddle rushed out to earn a deflection on the shot. Riddle's rush out and the deflection led to an open-net attempt but Harris' shot hit the left post before the Falcons eventually cleared the ball out of danger.
• Of the Monarchs' 21 shots, eight were on target. None were prettier than Sherry's attempt in the 18th minute. From the top left corner of the box, Sherry placed her shot to the far-post, top right corner and it looked like it would curl in but Riddle punched it out. Riddle also earned the save on the Tatiana Lourenco-Shiber shot that came directly after the punch out. Sherry led the attack with five shots (three on frame) for the night.
• Before this contest, Methodist had only trailed for 26 minutes all season. Trailing 2-1 after six minutes in a game against Greensboro College, Methodist scored the next three goals for a 4-2 win.
• In the second game of this strange season, Methodist defeated Pfeiffer, 3-1, on the Falcons' home turf (2/23/21).