ROCK HILL, S.C. – The #1 Carson-Newman College Women’s Soccer Team (18-2-1) scored early and often in the first half Sunday, building a 3-0 halftime lead over sixth-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University (15-7-1) in the finals of the 2009 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament. The Lady Eagles went on to win the match by a 3-1 score. With the victory, Carson-Newman has captured its second straight Food Lion SAC Tournament title and fourth under Head Coach Phil McNamara.

"We are thrilled to win both the regular season and tournament titles," McNamara said. "It's incredible to do it in back-to-back years. It's an achievement that's only been done twice in the history of the conference. We are delighted for the players. They really deserved it with three fantastic performances in the tournament to take the title home."

The Lady Eagles, which are ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region and 11th nationally, scored their first goal in ninth minute of the match. Sophomore forward Trenna Howell (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) tallied her team-leading 13th score of the season when she received a pass across the box from senior forward Nikki Brannen (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) and put the ball inside the far post.

C-N made it 2-0 seven and a half minutes later (15:57). Junior defender Melissa Morris (Sweetwater, Tenn.) headed in her second goal in as many contests off of a corner kick by sophomore midfielder Sandra Kaelin (Trachslau, SWITZERLAND).

Junior midfielder Morgan Gruenenfelder (Sweetwater, Tenn.) gave the Lady Eagles a coveted 3-nil lead just before the half hour mark (28:05). On another Kaelin corner, Gruenenfelder headed that ball into the net after it deflected of the Lenoir-Rhyne netminder.

Lenoir-Rhyne stole C-N’s clean sheet with just 7:04 remaining in the match. Catherine Hauck (Lake Mary, Fla.) converted a corner by Chermaine MacLachlainn (Tobermory, SCOTLAND) to make the score 3-1.

Sophomore Lauren MacKenzie (Barrie, Ontario, CANADA) tallied four saves in the victory for the Lady Eagles while L-R’s Katelyn Burwell (Carthage, N.C.) stopped 11 C-N shots despite the loss.

Grunenfelder, junior defender Brianana Buckley (Oak Ridge, Tenn.), junior defender Katie Hunter (Mississsauga, Ontario, CANADA) and Kaelin were named to the All-Tournament Team with Kaelin being named tournament MVP.

Carson-Newman will now await the release of the 2009 NCAA Division II Playoff pairings, which will be announced later on Sunday evening.

2009 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference All-Tournament Team

Alyssa Retundie, Catawba
Tasha Wilhelm, Catawba
Marjaana Kaaresvirta, Tusculum
Ashley Bradford, Tusculum
Catherine Hauck, Lenoir-Rhyne
Kaelia Frazier, Lenoir-Rhyne
Katelyn Burwell, Lenoir-Rhyne
Morgan Gruenenfelder, Carson-Newman
Brianna Buckley, Carson-Newman
Katie Hunter, Carson-Newman
Sandra Kaelin, Carson-Newman (MVP)