CARY, N.C. – The Methodist University women's soccer team dominated while in possession of the ball on the road at William Peace University, dropping a road heartbreaker to the Pacers, 2-1, on Friday evening at WakeMed Soccer Park.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: William Peace def. Methodist, 2-1
Records: Methodist 4-6-2 (1-4-2 USA South), William Peace 5-6-2 (1-4-0 USA South)
Location: WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Freshman Lillian Pressler kickstarted the Monarchs scoring chances by cashing in an early goal. Methodist attempted eight shots between a five-minute span early in the contest before Pressler nailed the score for the Monarchs in the 23rd minute.
- Methodist attempted 18 shots within the first 45 minutes of play, with graduate student Summer Ward recording five shots and senior Emily Hoyt logging three shots in the first stanza. The Monarchs faltered to convert any additional scores before heading into half-time, leading 1-0 over the Pacers.
- William Peace would get on the board early in the second period with Savanna Berckmiller landing the first goal for the Pacers, pushing in the score off a ricochet shot attempt by Josie Tucker. This knock would drive Kerlyn Navaratte Terjos to perfect the touch pass to Berckmiller, tying things up 1-1 in the 58th minute.
- The Monarchs offense successfully drove down the field through the Pacers defense in the final stanza, attempting an additional 15 shots in the match, with Ward collecting six more tallies in that mark during the period.
- Methodist would blunder in defensive miscues late, leading to a free kick for William Peace that allowed Berckmiller to nail another score for the Pacers off Navaratte Trejos's second assist of the evening, sealing William Peace's victory over the Monarchs, 2-1 in the 81st minute as time winded down.
BY THE NUMBERS
- As a team, the Monarchs performed fearlessly on offense, landing season-highs of 33 shots, with 18 shots on goal. These marks set by Methodist were no match by William Peace, only sending seven shots, six being on goal during the clash.
- Graduate student Summer Ward commanded the Monarchs offensive front, sending a season-best 11 shots, six of those being on goal for another season-high for Ward.
- Freshman Lillian Pressler was perfect on offense for Methodist, sending four shots, all four being on goal, with her second goal scored in her collegiate career.
- Senior Emily Hoyt and sophomore Sydney Stull collected additional shot chances for the Monarchs, with Hoyt sending two shots, three being on goal, and Stull recording her first two shots on goal of 2026.
- Defensively, freshman Kiera Ferguson controlled the Pacers attempts in the attack zone in all 90 minutes, allowing two goals while scooping up four saves, facing seven shots in the clash.
UP NEXT
Methodist will battle NCAA Division-II Shaw University in a short-turnaround, returning home at Duggins Soccer Stadium on Monday, October 19th for a 7:00 PM first kick, wrapping up regular season non-conference action.
