MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Catawba claimed the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament Championship with a 1-0 victory over Queens on Sunday afternoon at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews. The Catawba Indians, ranked 10th in NCAA II, win the battle of the top two tournament seeds and improve to 18-0-2. The Royals fall to 15-4-1.

Helen Summerell scored the lone goal of the match, which came in the 26th minute. Getting free, the sophomore put a shot into the left corner for the eventual winner. It marked her eighth goal of the season.

Catawba did not allow Queens to take a shot in the opening half. The Royals managed four shots for the match, but only one on goal. That shot was saved by Jamie Kazenmayer, who recorded her fifth shutout in six starts. Erica Turner had two saves for Queens.

Summerell was named the tournament MVP. She was joined on the all-tournament team by goalkeeper Jamie Kazenmayer, midfielder Jovana Sanchez and defender Katie Beck.

The title marks the seventh SAC Tournament title for the women's soccer program, but the first since 2002. The win gives Catawba the automatic berth into the NCAA II Southeast Regional Tournament. The Lady Indians should host one of the two four-team regional sites. The official NCAA II Tournament pairings and sites will be announced on Monday.