The statistics in the game were close.  The shots (13-10) and shots on goal (6-4) favored Methodist slightly.  Methodist also had more fouls (9-7) and yellow card cautions (two) while both teams had two corner kicks.

But on those shots, four Methodist players found the back of the net - Yaneli Sanchez did it once in each half - and the second-seeded Monarchs were able to post a 5-0 USA South Conference first-round playoff victory over seventh-seeded Mary Baldwin Tuesday at Fayetteville, N.C.

Methodist advances to Thursday's semifinal round at home against third-seeded Brevard while MBU's championship hopes end with a 4-12-2 overall record.

The Fighting Squirrels, who battled Methodist to a 1-0 decision during the regular season, graduates five players, including Shea Rider, Kate Thoele, Jocsseline Bonilla, Kiley Marston and Sydney Kirkpatrick, were making their third-straight appearance in the USA South playoffs and advanced to at least the quarterfinal round each year.