DEMOREST, Ga. – The Meredith lacrosse team earned their seventh straight USA South Conference tournament championship with a 26-8 win over Piedmont, advancing once again to the NCAA Tournament.

The Avenging Angels just out to a fast lead as freshman Jessica Dowdy scored the opening goal 21 seconds into the game. Twenty seconds later, Maya Flake would find the back of the net off a feed from Lilia Cruz to make it 2-0.

Both teams would trade goals with Meredith leading 5-3 with 21:00 to play in the first half. The Avenging Angels would go on an 8-0 run over the next 9:07 to take a commanding 13-3 lead. Oliva Blake would score four goals during the run, with freshman Arri May scoring twice, and Cruz scoring two goals while also dishing out four assists.

Piedmont would score a pair of back-to-back goals before the end of the half, cutting the deficit to 17-8 at the half.

Meredith would dominate the second half, outscoring Piedmont 9-0, outpacing the Lions 9-1 in the draw circle, and allowing only one shot attempt on defense.

Blake led all scorers with six goals to go along with one assist, with Cruz leading the way with ten points (5G, 5A), and while also pulling down seven draw controls. May netted five goals to go with three assists and five draws. Dowdy scored four times to go along with two assists and a game-high 14 draws. Kylie Phillips scored a hat trick, with Tori Whitmer adding two goals and assist, and Flake a goal and two assists. Ansley Harris caused two turnovers on defense and scooped up a game-high four ground balls.

Cruz was selected as to the All-Tournament Team and Tournament MVP. Blake and Phillips were tabbed All-Tournament at attack alongside Cruz. Dowdy, May, and Briana Petrusa were chosen at midfield for the All-Tournament team, while Harris was picked at defense.

Meredith waits to find out where they'll be seeded in the NCAA Tournament. The tournament field will be announced on Monday.