FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University women's soccer captured its second USA South Tournament title in the last three years following a 2-0 victory over Southern Virginia University on Saturday.
 
This was also the second time the Monarchs hosted the Knights in the championship match, with Methodist defeating SVU 3-1 in 2022.
 
Because of her performance in the championship game, junior Camaryn Piper was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 USA South Women's Soccer Tournament. Along with the MVP, senior Kelsey Burge, junior Gizelle Garcia, senior Amanda DeDomenico, sophomore Brooke Hunter, and junior Carolina Simpkins all made the 2024 USA South All-Tournament Team.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Southern Virginia, 2-0
Records: Methodist 11-7-0, Southern Virginia 8-9-5
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In four of the last five matches, Methodist has had a theme of scoring early, and that was true again, as Piper gave her team a 1-0 lead one minute into the game. A Monarch corner kick, taken by Garcia, was volleyed into the box, where sophomore Daphne Paleocrassas attempted to head a shot on the net. The shot would bounce off a Knight defender and roll toward Piper, who shot a left-footed kick into the bottom right corner of the goal.
• Following the score, Southern Virginia went on the offensive and outshot Methodist 9-2 during the remaining 44 minutes of the first half. Of the nine shots taken by the Knights, only one would be on target, which was saved by Simpkins, the Monarch's goalie.
• In the second half, the duo of Garcia and Piper connected again on Methodist's second goal. Once again, Garcia was tasked to take a Monarch set piece, a corner, and her pass reached Piper, who chest-pumped the ball into the net from the left side.
• Toward the end of the match, Southern Virginia registered two more shots on goal, but Simpkins stopped each one, including an incredible one-handed jump save to preserve the shutout.

NUMBERS

• After recording her first collegiate assist in the team's last game, Piper registers her first multi-goal game in her collegiate career.
• Methodist also has a recent knack for keeping clean sheets as the team produced its fifth straight shutout. Simpkins has been between the pipes in all five contests and has made 12 saves during this span.
• The Monarchs improve to 4-2 all-time against Southern Virginia, including a 3-1 mark inside Duggins Soccer Stadium.

UP NEXT
Methodist now prepares for the upcoming 2024 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. The tournament's selection show will take place on Monday, November 11, at 2 PM, which will determine all match-ups and host sites.