NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Meredith 2, N.C. Wesleyan 0
Records: Meredith; 7-8-2 (4-5 USA South); N.C. Wesleyan, 6-8-2 (3-5-1 USA South)
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - Meredith soccer closed out its regular season in style on Wednesday afternoon, securing a key road win at N.C. Wesleyan in Rocky Mount.
The win allows the Avenging Angels to leap past the Battling Bishops in the conference standings, as Meredith has now earned the No. 6 seed for the upcoming USA South Tournament.
Despite a lower shot count, Meredith made the most out of its chances on Wednesday, scoring early in each half to put the Battling Bishops on their heels.
In the game's opening minutes, it was a well-timed cross from freshman
Sam Carroll that led to a deflection to
Evelyn Hopkins in front of the goal, and Hopkins put it away cleanly to give MC the 1-0 lead.
While N.C. Wesleyan had the upper hand in the shot count in the first half, Meredith still went to the locker room ahead 1-0. The Battling Bishops also were forced to play down a player due to a red card in the 42nd minute.
The Avenging Angels took advantage early in the second half on a double assist that started with
Claire Wagner, leading to another great feed from Hopkins that found the foot of
Rachel Ward, who unleashed a shot from a tough angle. However, Ward hit it perfectly, as it floated just beyond the outstretched arms of N.C. Wesleyan's goalkeeper and into the left corner of the net. The goal marked Ward's team-leading sixth of the season.
From there, the defense did its job as Meredith iced the game away.
Delaney Thompson made four saves in yet another shutout for the freshman goalkeeper.
Up next, the Avenging Angels will move on to postseason play, with the USA South Tournament set to begin on Saturday, October 31 on the road. Stay tuned to goavengingangels.com for official game times and opponents.
TURNING POINT:
- Meredith was on its front foot early, thanks to Hopkins' early goal off the assist from
Sam Carroll.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Hopkins tallied a goal and an assist in the win.
- Ward scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season to double the Avenging Angels' lead early in the second half.
