FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Methodist College guaranteed that their will be a new USA South Conference women's lacrosse champion next week with an 18-4 victory over visiting Shenandoah Saturday in the regular season conference finale.

With only the top four teams advancing to next week's conference tournament, the loss eliminates 2005 champ Shenandoah (5-7, 2-4 USA South) from tournament contention. SU needed to defeat Methodist (11-3, 4-2) to create a three-way tie for third place in the league and have a chance at the tournament.

Now, top-seeded Greensboro, the regular season champion, will battle with No. 2 Christopher Newport, No. 3 Methodist and No. 4 Averett for the league's first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Lady Monarchs took control of Saturday's by scoring the first four goals of the game on their way to a 9-3 halftime advantage. Lauren McGonagle had two of MC's first four goals during that run, including the first tally 4:17 into the contest.

Joia Davis broke that string for SU with her unassisted goal at the 18:05 mark, but McGonagle had an answer 11 seconds later.

After Lauren Prentice and Erika Bradd scored consecutive goals for the Hornets midway through, Methodist reeled off 10 consecutive to seal the deal.

Davis had Shenandoah's final goal, an unassisted tally, with 11:26 to play.

Bridget Holcomb had eight goals and McGonagle five to lead the hosts. Holcomb scored half of her goals during that 10-0 run.

Hornets keeper Wendy Taylor had eight saves.

Box Score 

Shenandoah completes its season on Wednesday night with a non-league game against Hood. Game time is 4:00.