Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Pfeiffer women's soccer team (12-7-2) fell just short in their quest for a second consecutive Conference Carolinas Tournament title as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Belmont Abbey (12-6-2) in the championship match. Simone Melvin scored the game's only goal in the 60th minute to send the Crusaders to the NCAA Tournament.

Today marked the second consecutive season and fourth time in five years that Pfeiffer and Belmont Abbey met in the finals. The Falcons were looking to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five seasons.

Pfeiffer's Hannah Hill, Gretchen Dettlinger and Katie Collins were named to the All-Tournament team. Belmont Abbey's goalkeeper Hannah Kohls earned Tournament MVP honors as she allowed only one goal in the tournament.

After a scoreless first half, Melvin broke the draw 14:36 into the second half. Melvin lofted a shot from 35 yards out just over Pfeiffer's keeper Blakeney Blair for her first goal of the season. Pfeiffer turned up the offensive pressure and fired 10 second half shots. The Falcons had an opportunity to even the score as a cross was sent into the box and a scrum ensued. Pfeiffer had a couple of attempts from in close that were blocked by the Crusader defense before the ball was ultimately cleared. The Falcons took three shots in the final 5:17 but Kohls was up to the challenge. In the 87th minute, Macy Rutledge took a corner for Pfeiffer and sent it to Madeline Gadd whose shot was saved by Kohls. Kayla Rodriguez was also stoned by Kohls with only 1:14 left to play. 

The Falcons held a 13-9 advantage in shots on the afternoon, but couldn't find the back of the net. Dettlinger shot three times for Pfeiffer and Hill and Collins each fired two shots.

The loss wraps up a tremendous season for the Falcons. Dettlinger scored 10 goals in her freshman season and Aaliyah Jackson moved into fourth place in school history with 29 career goals. 17 different Falcons recorded at least one point on the season and freshman Blair was excellent in goal, finishing with a 0.93 goals against average.