Box Score

MISENHEIMER, N.C. - In a matchup that would go a long way in determining the Conference Carolinas regular season champ, the Pfeiffer women's soccer team (9-5-1, 7-1-1 CC) ended Converse's 12 match unbeaten streak with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon. Freshman Gretchen Dettlinger scored twice for the Falcons, who now have sole possession of first place in the league.

Dettlinger was a force all afternoon, firing six shots in the match. Pfeiffer outshot Converse (11-2-1, 6-1-1) by a final count of 14-8 and held the Valkyries to only two shots in the second half.

Pfeiffer made the most out of their early opportunities, scoring on their first two shots on goal in the match. The Falcons took advantage of an early corner kick just 1:29 into the contest as Macy Rutledge sent a cross into the box that Dettlinger deflected past the Converse keeper. The lead swelled to 2-0 in the 25th minute as Dettlinger lofted a shot from 25 yards out, just over the fingertips of Converse's Joscelyn Wallace. However, Converse would respond in the 32nd minute as Alexandra Marquez outran a Pfeiffer defender and put home her fourth score of the season. With only 26 seconds remaining in the half, Miracle Campbell put Pfeiffer up 3-1 with her first goal of the season. The half ended with Pfeiffer holding a 7-6 advantage in shots.

The defense tightened in the second half and didn't give Converse a chance to close the gap. Pfeiffer's goalie Blakeney Blair was forced to make only one save in the final 45 minutes.

For the match, Blair made five stops to improve to 5-1-1 on the season. Wallace made four saves for Converse and was replaced by Savannah Humphries who played the final 6:51 in goal.

The Falcons now lead Belmont Abbey by a point in the conference standings, setting up a huge Halloween showdown with the rivals. Prior to that contest, the Falcons return to action on Saturday night as they travel to Emmanuel for a 5 p.m. match. Pfeiffer's fate is in their own hands as the Falcons can guarantee a first-place finish by defeating both conference opponents.

With the victory, Pfeiffer extended their streak to eight straight matches without a loss in conference play. The Falcons are also one win shy of recording double digit victories for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons.