DANVILLE, Va.  — Fourth-seeded Averett University saw its season come to an end with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to No. 5 seed Methodist University in the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament on Saturday at Daly Field.
 
Trailing 2-1 just about 25 minutes into the second half, sophomore David Cuperman stepped up and drilled a free kick in from about 25 yards out to help Averett (8-11) tie the game. However, the goal was negated after the fact due to a questionable foul and Methodist (8-7-1) hung on from there to seal the victory.
 
Despite the loss, Averett had an impressive season. The Cougars' eight overall wins and six conference victories were the highest totals under the tutelage of third-year head coach Philip Wilson. Additionally, Averett was making its eighth consecutive postseason appearance and third under Wilson.
 
After neither team was able to get on the board in the first half, Seth Harrison hammered in a shot from 30 yards out on the right side to give the Monarchs a 1-0 edge in the 49th minute.
 
The Cougars, though, would keep fighting and knotted the score at 1-1 when junior Tobias Andreasson recorded his sixth goal of the year on an absolute rocket to the far side of the goal at the 52:14 mark.
 
Harrison would strike again six minutes later when he finished his shot off a free kick from Rahmel Stewart to lift Methodist to the victory.
 
Cuperman and Andreasson paced the Cougars' offense, recording four shots a piece.
 
Second-year freshman Austin Bramhall recorded six saves for Averett between the sticks.