The Asheville City Women’s team held their 7th annual Pride Night on Saturday when they hosted the Greenville Liberty in a matchup between the top two teams in the South Central Division. Asheville would go on to earn a 2-0 win over the Liberty to cap off their historic undefeated season with an 11-0-1 record.

The game started off hot with both teams earning chances early but none being able to convert. That would all end abruptly in the 15th minute when Caitlin Conroy was the first to a deflected shot in the box. She tried putting a move on a defender that resulted in her being chopped down in the box for an Asheville penalty kick. Phoebe Hollin stepped up to the spot and slotted it home to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.

Asheville would strike again in the 37th minute as Adrianna Rodriguez drove down the left flank and played a beautiful ball to the six-yard box to Lucia Flores who tucked it in under the keeper to extend the Asheville advantage to 2-0.

Both teams mustered a few more chances before half with Asheville’s keeper Tamsin Bynoe making a couple of stops as the Blues went into the break leading 2-0.

In the 53rd minute, Greenville had their best chance of the game when Sage Peterson fired off a shot to the left of Asheville’s substitute keeper Gaby Rourke who made a diving fingertip save to keep the clean sheet alive.

In the 57th minute, Asheville stormed down the field and got a flurry of shots off on Greenville’s goal, but none could find a home in the Liberty net. The first shot by Emma Sheehan came off the crossbar and fell to Conroy, whose shot was deflected to Flores, who blasted it off the post, as the Blues would be denied from extending their lead.

In the 66th minute of the match, Sheehan came dangerously close to scoring again, launching a powerful shot that soared just inches above Greenville’s goal and out for a Liberty goalkick. 

Nine minutes later, Lucie Bertrand blasted a shot just outside the box but a nice save by the Greenville keeper kept the Blues advantage to 2-0, which is how the match would end.

Phoebe Hollin was awarded the Noble Player of the Match award for her contributions on the night, which included the opening goal.

“I feel amazing winning every game and only tying the one, and the one game we tied we didn’t have all our players, and I am so grateful for this opportunity to be with this talented group of players and great human beings,” said Head Coach Maxi Viera, who guided the Blues to a 11-0-1 record in his first season in charge of Asheville City. “They deserved it and worked hard for it so I'm very, very happy.”

The Blues also celebrated their first ever South Central Division title after the match, earning 34 out of a possible 36 points during the regular season with their lone blemish a 3-3 draw against Southern Soccer Academy back in May in their home opener and second game of the season.

The Blues will host the 1st and 2nd round of the USL W League playoffs at Greenwood Field on Friday, July 4th, and Sunday, July 6th. Opponents are yet to be determined. You can buy your tickets here.