By OkayGoal
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist University women’s soccer team returned to action Monday evening, hosting Shaw University in its final non-conference game of the regular season. The Monarchs delivered a much-needed offensive spark, scoring three goals to secure a 3–0 victory over the Bears at Duggins Soccer Stadium. The three-goal performance marked Methodist’s second-highest scoring output of the season.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Shaw, 3–0
Records: Methodist 5-6-2, Shaw 2-10-1
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist applied early pressure, recording three shots in the opening six minutes, including attempts on goal by freshman Anna Wiggins and junior Kat Cardiff.
- Following the early flurry, both teams struggled to establish an offensive rhythm as several offside calls disrupted the flow of play.
- The Monarchs finally broke through in the 44th minute when junior Diamond Harris scored the first goal of her collegiate career. The play began with a free kick deep in Methodist’s defensive third, as senior Daphne Paleocrassas moved the ball along the backline to freshman Sydney Campbell. After advancing a few steps, Campbell played a pass forward to Harris, who slipped behind the Shaw defense for a one-on-one opportunity. Harris fired past the goalkeeper and into the right side of the net to give Methodist a 1–0 lead just before halftime.
- The Monarchs carried that momentum into the second half, doubling their advantage in the 49th minute. Senior Emily Hoyt intercepted a pass in the midfield and sent the ball forward for Cardiff, who outran her defender before finishing with a one-time shot to make it 2–0.
- Hoyt then got on the scoresheet herself in the 57th minute to extend the lead to three. Collecting the ball near the top of the box, Hoyt used a quick move to evade a defender before threading a shot between the left post and the goalkeeper’s hand and into the net.
- Methodist continued to pressure the Bears throughout the remainder of the match, putting five more shots on target, but Shaw’s goalkeeper turned away each attempt. The Monarchs’ defense also kept the Bears in check, limiting them to just two shots during that stretch as Methodist secured the 3–0 shutout.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Methodist outshot Shaw 21–7, including a 10–2 advantage in shots on goal.
- Hoyt led the Monarchs with three points, recording a goal and an assist. Cardiff and Harris each added two points with their respective goals.
- Goalkeepers Keira Ferguson and Liliana Sines-Kleist split time in net for Methodist, playing 45 minutes apiece and recording one save each.
UP NEXT
Methodist returns to USA South action on Saturday, October 24, hosting North Carolina Wesleyan University at Duggins Soccer Stadium. The 1 PM kickoff will also serve as Senior Day for the Monarchs.