Rock Hill, S.C.----The top-seeded and 14th-ranked Carson-Newman University Eagles edged second-seeded Wingate University 1-0 in Sunday's South Atlantic Conference women's soccer tournament championship match at Manchester Meadows.

The contest featured the top two teams in the region entering the weekend. Carson-Newman was the top-ranked NCAA Southeast region team in Wednesday's official NCAA region poll, while Wingate was ranked second. The Eagles improve to 18-2 overall, winning their fifth SAC Tournament title. The Bulldogs fall to 15-2-2 overall. Wingate was playing in the SAC championship match for the sixth consecutive season.

Carson-Newman got on the board in the 38th minute, when Julianne Herrity chipped a pass over the defense to Nikki McWilliams, who chipped one over Wingate goalkeeper Alexis Jones (Midway Park, N.C.) to make it 1-0. The goal ended a streak of over 620 minutes without a goal allowed by the Bulldogs.

Wingate freshman Caileigh Apicella (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) put a shot on frame 10 minutes into the second half, but Carson-Newman goalkeeper Jessica Fraiture was there for the save. Senior Victoria Fichman (Matthews, N.C.) put one on frame with eight minutes to go, but Fraiture was again there for the Eagles.

Carson-Newman ended the match with a 7-3 advantage in shots, including a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Fraiture had two saves for the Eagles, while Jones collected three saves for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs placed three players on the All-SAC Tournament team. Juniors Kaitlyn Brunworth (Littleton, Colo.) and Macy Franklin (Conover, N.C.) were joined by sophomore Mackenzie Cherniuk (Massillon, Ohio).

Both teams will learn their postseason fate Monday night when the NCAA tournament field is announced. Carson-Newman will have a strong chance at hosting the regional tournament. The Bulldogs are likely to earn an at-large bid, looking to make a fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.