FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. For the first time since 2022, the Methodist women’s soccer team is heading to the championship match of the USA South tournament following the team’s victory over Greensboro College in the semifinal round on Wednesday.
The second–seeded Monarchs will play host to fourth–seeded Southern Virginia University in the title match on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. – a matchup only made possible because of the Knights’ winning effort against top–seeded Brevard College in a penalty shoot–out on Wednesday evening.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Greensboro, 2-0
Records: Methodist 10-7-0, Greensboro 11-9-1
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist was quick to possess the ball, looking for an offensive opportunity very early. The Monarchs got the look they wanted when a pass ahead by Kelsey Burge almost immediately fell back at her feet following a quick touch off the heel of Lola Campbell. From just beyond the box, Burge booted the ball towards the frame, launching a high shot that was on target yet out of reach for Greensboro goalkeeper Lindsay Fox. The score came just two and a half minutes into the contest, giving Methodist an early boost of confidence.
- The Monarchs put two more shots on goal during the first half, while the Pride produced just one shot on target, which was saved by Methodist goalkeeper Carolina Simpkins.
- Greensboro tried to strike early in the second half, as a shot by Amery Skinner, the USA South Player of the Year, was blocked by a Monarch defender and a shot by Grace Garraghty went wide. Methodist fired the next five shots – four of which were on target but saves, and three of which came from the foot of Corrine Shovlain.
- In the 68th minute, Simpkins prevented what would have been an equalizer for the Pride, saving a shot that was taken by Abby Lush. It was Greensboro’s only shot on goal of the entire second half.
- With the Monarchs pressing high in the midfield, Camaryn Piper stepped up to take the ball away from a member of the Greensboro squad, then shouldered her way past another Pride player before passing the ball ahead to Shovlain. Sprinting around the defense, Shovlain delivered a shot from the right side of the box that crossed in front of the keeper and bounced off the left post and in for a score in the 76th minute.
NUMBERS
- Kelsey Burge continues to heat up, and her seventh goal on the year marks a career–best for her in a single season, outdoing the six goals she scored as a junior in 2023. She’s now scored in four out of the last five matches, totaling five goals during that span, and has been credited with the game–winning goal in three of Methodist’s last four victories.
- Despite struggling to find the back of the net, Corrine Shovlain has led the team all season in shots and shots on goal. That trend continued Wednesday as she paced the team with five shots that were all on target. The fifth–year senior was long overdue for a payoff, which came in the second half on Wednesday when she scored just her second goal of the season.
- Helping make the goals happen, junior Camaryn Piper recorded the first assist of her collegiate career, while sophomore Lola Campbell earned her second assist on the season.
- With the victory, Methodist extends its win streak over Greensboro to seven matches in a row.
UP NEXT
Methodist will host Southern Virginia in the USA South Women’s Soccer Tournament Championship on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Duggins Soccer Stadium.
The two most recent contests between these teams have gone in favor of Southern Virginia – both by a score of 1–0 – including the matchup this past October during the regular season. However, Methodist’s last victory over the Knights came in 2022, when the Monarchs defeated Southern Virginia, 3–1, in the USA South Tournament championship that was held in Fayetteville.
Southern Virginia is the reigning USA South Tournament champion, having hoisted the title in 2023, so Saturday’s match will be a bout between the league’s two most recent tournament champions.