BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. – Belmont Abbey College captured the 2025 Conference Carolinas Women’s Soccer Championship, the ninth in program history with a pair of second-half goals against top seed Francis Marion University.
The Patriots took the only four shots of the first half, placing three on frame as Ryleigh Dougherty came up with three saves for Belmont Abbey. In the second half, the Belmont Abbey offense was opportunistic, scoring two goals on only three shots. The first goal of the match came in the 64th minute as Richard scored on a pass from Hannah Willis in the middle of the box.
Tournament MVP Sabrina Cunha then found the back of the net on a volley in the 68th minute, giving Belmont Abbey a 2-0 lead. The Patriots fought back and Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year, Tehya Dave’ got behind the defense and pulled Francis Marion within one with a goal I the 83rd minute. The Patriots ended the game with a flurry off opportunities, but the Crusader defense held strong, taking the title 2-1.
Belmont Abbey wins their ninth title in program history and first since 2014 after finishing runner-up each of the last two years.
The Crusaders earn the league’s automatic bid into the 2025 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship. The selection show will air on NCAA.com on Monday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. Francis Marion will also look to hear their named called as they were third in the final NCAA Region Rankings.
2025 Conference Carolinas Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
MVP – Sabrina Cunha, Belmont Abbey
Anna Richard, Belmont Abbey
Hanna Doerr, Belmont Abbey
Haley Long, Belmont Abbey
Jayme O’Neill, Belmont Abbey
Jaylynn Kemmerlin, Francis Marion
Tehya Dave’, Francis Marion
Madeline Ballard, Francis Marion
Eli Soderberg, UNC Pembroke
Sunny Bowlin-Stacy, Young Harris
Builder Services of North Carolina Elite 26 Award
Emma Hodges, Young Harris
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2025 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Championship
First Round – Wednesday, November 5 (Higher Seed Hosts)
No. 8 Converse def. No. 9 North Greenville 2-0
BOX SCORE
No. 5 Young Harris def. No. 12 Mount Olive 1-0
BOX SCORE
No. 11 Ferrum def. No. 6 Chowan 3-2 (OT)
BOX SCORE
No. 7 Lees-McRae def. No. 10 Southern Wesleyan 2-1
BOX SCORE
Quarterfinals – Saturday, November 8 (Higher Seed Hosts)
No. 1 Francis Marion def. No. 8 Converse 2-0
BOX SCORE
No. 5 Young Harris def. No. 4 Emmanuel 1-0
BOX SCORE
No. 3 UNC Pembroke def. No. 11 Ferrum 3-1
BOX SCORE
No. 2 Belmont Abbey def. No. 7 Lees-McRae 4-0
BOX SCORE
Semifinals – Friday, November 14 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
No. 1 Francis Marion def. No. 5 Young Harris 3-1
BOX SCORE
No. 2 Belmont Abbey def. No. 3 UNC Pembroke 3-1
BOX SCORE
Final – Sunday, November 16 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
No. 2 Belmont Abbey def. No. 1 Francis Marion 2-1
BOX SCORE