RALEIGH, N.C. -- In Friday morning's first semifinal pairing of the USA South Conference Women's Soccer Tournament, the fourth-seeded Methodist University Monarchs upset the regular season champion Meredith College Avenging Angels 1-0 to advance to Saturday's title match. All-Conference first team selection goalie Jaisa Loch recorded 12 saves in the loss.

Methodist will face the winner of Friday's second semifinal between second-seeded Piedmont and third-seeded Maryville at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The match began with the same physical brand of soccer that the teams played during their first meeting last month. Both teams pushed the attack up field at a blistering pace.

MU's Taylor Cavazos had the best chance for the Monarchs during the first 45 minutes of play as she shot on an open side of the net that would go wide. Meredith defender Megan Luke and Methodist's Eryka Underwood managed their respective defenses as the captains shut down opposition attacks until the end of the half.

The teams came out of the break playing the same caliber of soccer as in the first period. Meredith forward Jessica Wallace broke away twice with chances on goal that would come up empty.

The Monarch forwards continued to push up field as they broke away on a three-on-one break defended by Angels midfielder Samantha Litt. Methodist scored the only goal of the match in the 79th minute as Clark finished off of a shot that rebounded off Loch. Meredith fought to find an equalizer, but the efforts were unfulfilled.

The Monarchs outshot Meredith 18-14 and attempted one corner kick to three for the Angels. Loch took the loss in goal as her record moved to 14-5-1, and MU's Taylor Ross improved to 12-6 with the win as she had four saves in goal.

Prior to today's kickoff, Meredith Athletic Director Jackie Myers presented the USA South Regular Season Championship award to the Avenging Angels, along with All-Conference awards to participants in the match. Also recognized was Meredith's Paul Smith as the USA South Coach of the Year.

USA South Women's Soccer

Tournament Website | Tournament Bracket

Please note, admission will be charged for all tournament matches ($3 faculty, staff, students, seniors, children; $6 general adult admission).