Salisbury, N.C. – Playing their toughest foe yet in their final regular season match, Newberry women's soccer could not overcome the efficiency of undefeated Catawba, falling 2-0 in the finale.
 
Coming into the match with a 14-0-2 record, the Indians are ranked No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II National Poll. Led by a blistering offensive attack, they recorded 34 goals in their first 10 conference games.
 
Early on in this one, it looked as if it would be more of the same for the Indians as they repeatedly put shots on goal and forced corner kicks. One such opportunity resulted in an 11^th-minute goal when midfielder Kasey Hahn send a pass into the box where junior Katie Beck headed it in for her eighth goal of the year.
 
Following the early score, the Wolves started to turn things up offensively, but Catawba struck again with a counterattack in the 17^th minute. As leading scorer Hannah Dunn took the ball to the edge of the box, she drew the attention of the Newberry defense, allowing sophomore Helen Summerell to take a position in front of goal where she beat the keeper one-on-one to extend the lead.
 
After putting five shots on goal in the first 16 minutes of play, the Indians looked primed for another big showing, but the Wolves' defense tightened up after their early struggles. Catawba still exercised solid ball control through the half, but their attacks were more often defused as keeper Delaney Hood made six saves in the period to keep the score at 2-0.
 
The Indians came out of the break looking to pick up the intensity, but they were once again met with strong resistance in the second half. They only managed to put three shots on goal in the period, with each attempt being saved by keeper Jayleen Gant, who subbed in for Hood at halftime.
 
As their offense was repeatedly denied, Catawba was given a scare in the 87^th minute when sophomore Julia Steinbach launched a deep shot from 25 yard out, but the ball clanged off the crossbar and was gathered up by the defense.
 
With the shutout still intact, the Indians were content to leave the field with a 2-0 victory to preserve their flawless season and top seed in the conference playoffs. With the loss cementing Newberry in the eighth spot, the teams will be meeting again very soon.
 
The Wolves will get another shot at Catawba on Saturday, November 6 in the first round of the SAC playoffs, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.