Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Averett women's soccer team defeated Meredith College 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to clinch the USA South Conference regular season championship with one game remaining. It's the first title in program history for the Cougars (13-3, 10-0 USA South), who have won 12 games in a row.

The victory was a monumental moment for the Averett women's soccer program, which began play in 1993. Before fifth-year head coach Carly Pearce took over the program prior to the 2008 season, Averett had just one winning season. Under Pearce, Averett has secured its fourth winning season and is one win away from matching the program record for overall wins in a season, which was set during last season's 14-3-1 campaign. The Cougars' 10 conference wins with one regular season game remaining already shattered the program's previous high of seven conference victories set a season ago.

On Sunday, both teams came out fighting at the start of the match, but it was Averett that got on the scoreboard first at the 38:30 mark. Junior Sandra Johansson chipped the ball down the line over a Meredith defender toward sophomore Mathilda Hansson, who crossed the ball for sophomore Sarah Ostlund to smash into the back of the net.

Meredith (11-7, 7-4 USA South) had several chances to score but the Cougars and junior goalkeeper Malin Borjesson kept the Avenging Angels at bay.

The Cougars scored their insurance goal in the 79th minute. Junior Pernilla Milton played a perfect through ball to the feet of Hansson, who dribbled toward the goal and slipped the ball past the keeper back post. 

The Avenging Angels outshot the Cougars 17-8, and Borjesson finished the game with 11 saves.

Averett finishes the regular season on Wednesday at home against Greensboro College at 2:30 p.m. With the regular season title sealed, Averett has secured the top seed in the USA South Conference Tournament, which begins with the quarterfinals next weekend.