ROCKY MOUNT, NC – Mary Baldwin freshman Kate Thoele scored her first two goals of the season, but host North Carolina Wesleyan pulled out a 5-2 women's soccer victory that lifted the Battling Bishops into the USA South Conference playoffs.
Thoele gave the Fighting Squirrels the early lead, opening the scoring in the 12th minute off an assist from Annie Ammons. NCW then bounced back with two goals for a 2-1 halftime lead, then added two goals in the first nine minutes of the second half to build a 4-1 advantage. Claire Bailey had two of NCW's first four goals.
Late in the contest, the teams traded goals, with Theole finding the back of the net off an assist by sophomore defender Sam Manfre for a 5-2 final score.
Each team finished with nine shots on goal, Keeper Anya Wilkin was credited with four saves for MBU, which finished its season with a 2-3 overall record.