MATTHEWS, N.C. - For the sixth time in program history, the Lenoir-Rhyne women's soccer team are South Atlantic Conference Tournament Champions. The Bears defeated No. 1 seed Catawba 1-0 on Sunday afternoon to claim the crown.
This continues Lenoir-Rhyne's trend of dominance in the conference, winning three of the last four tournament titles. Following the conclusion of today's game,
Kennedy Flowers was named SAC Tournament MVP.
With this win, the Bears have officially booked a spot in the 2026 NCAA Division II Tournament, the program's seventh consecutive appearance.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (2) Lenoir-Rhyne 1, (1) Catawba 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (13-6-1, 7-3-0 SAC), Catawba (13-5-2, 8-1-1 SAC)
Location: Matthews, N.C. | Matthews Sportsplex
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- The first ten minutes saw three shots and two yellow cards.
- The Bears had chances, with Alexis Cagno and Landry Boyles forcing saves from Catawba keeper Lauren Zitt.
- The teams went into the break tied at 0-0.
- In the 60th minute, Lucia Hidalgo nutmegged a defender and put in a cross that found the right foot of Katie Durham, who put it in the back of the net for what would eventually be the game winning goal.
- Lenoir-Rhyne didn't settle and continued to push forward, forcing four second half saves from Zitt.
- The Catawba Indians saw a late header calmly handled by Miller and the Bears held on for the shutout victory.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- Lenoir-Rhyne out-shot Catawba 19-12 and held a 7-6 edge in shots-on-goal.
- Both goalkeepers made six saves.
- Ava Hartman led the Bears with four shots, while goalscorer Katie Durham had three.
- Lucia Hidalgo's assist was her first of the season.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Lenoir-Rhyne also beat Catawba in the 2023 SAC Championship, with that game being decided in pks.
- The Bears' last loss was to the Catawba Indians on October 7th. Since then they are 8-0-1 with five shutouts.
- This was Lenoir-Rhyne's first outright victory over Catawba since the NCAA Regional Championship in 2023 when the Bears won 4-2.
- Katie Durham now leads the team with 14 points (6g, 2a).
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne has officially booked a trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament and will learn its seed and assignment during tomorrow night's selection show at 7:00 p.m. on ncaa.com.
