SALISBURY, N.C. – Catawba's historic women's soccer season was ended in penalty kicks after battling visiting Lenoir-Rhyne to a scoreless draw through 110 minutes in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA II Southeast Region Tournament. The Bears, who go to 11-5-3, advance to face Queens on Sunday in round two. The Catawba Indians, ranked 10th in NCAA II and seeded second for the tournament, finish an undefeated campaign at 18-0-3.

After Jamie Kazenmayer saved the initial penalty kick from Lenoir-Rhyne's Vivian Becker-Peralta, the Bears scored on their final three chances by Madi Kyle, Stephanie Figueiredo and Kate Casey. Catawba's Katie Beck and Sydney Jimmo were saved by LR keeper Grayson Cameron in the first two kicks before Hannah Dunn converted. Cameron saved the chance by Helen Summerell to end the kicks with LR advancing 3-1.

Catawba led the match in shots 16-8 as the Bears played a defensive match. Catawba took three of the matches five corner kicks. Cameron had five saves prior to the penalty kicks with Kazenmayer stopping five shots for Catawba.

The Lady Indians entered the match with the nation's top defense, allowing just five goals on the year. Catawba lowered its goals against average to 0.23 on the season with 16 shutouts over 21 matches.