November 2, 2007
Methodist Advances to Championship With 5-0 Win
Senior Chrystal Bradley rattles off four goals

FAYETTEVILLE, NC- After playing to a 1-0 win over Meredith less than a week ago, the Methodist Monarchs decided to make a statement in Friday's semifinal with a 5-0 win. With the victory, Methodist will play Christopher Newport in the championship on Saturday at 2 pm in a repeat of last year's final. Methodist improves to 16-4 overall this season while Meredith finishes at 10-8 this year.

Just 15 minutes into the game, senior Chrystal Bradley collected the ball and took on the Meredith defense to score the first goal of the game on a breakaway. Bradley had another near chance just a few minutes later just missing over the goal but finished her next chance on another breakaway that looked like a replay from her first goal. Methodist took a 2-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, but determined not to let up in the second half.

Three minutes passed in the second half and Bradley cleaned up a misclear by the Meredith defense and scored on the first touch for the hat trick. The Avenging Angels were called for a foul five yards outside of the penalty box and Bradley stepped up to take the kick. Her free kick went around the outside of the wall to score at the far post. With fifteen minutes to go in the game, senior Marie Finley drove a long pass over the Methodist defense to find freshman Hevyn Diers running on and Diers finished with the fifth goal of the game.

Methodist freshman goalkeeper Kasey Nichols had eight saves, while Shae Tharrington made six stops for Meredith.

Christopher Newport defeated Greensboro 1-0 in overtime of the first semifinal.

Box Score