AMERICUS, Ga. — In a season of so many unknowns, there was one thing the Flagler College women's soccer team knew it wanted: another Peach Belt Conference championship.
 
The No. 4 Saints turned the continuous dream into reality once again Friday afternoon when they concluded the regular season in impressive fashion, defeating Georgia Southwestern University, 7-0, en route to Flagler's second consecutive PBC regular-season title.
 
It's been quite the path to the Saints' second regular-season trophy. Among all of the cancelations, shifting of schedules, and COVID-19 testing required to play, Flagler (7-0-1, 6-0-1 PBC) powered through all the odds and illustrated a championship-caliber level of play. So, it came by no surprise the Saints were crowned once again after yet another dominant run through conference play as Flagler outscored PBC opponents 27-1 over seven games to secure its second straight unbeaten PBC regular season.
 
"This season has been a huge challenge for everyone, and to come out as regular-season champions is very special," Flagler head coach Ashley Martin said. "The players have shown tremendous desire, persistence and discipline throughout this difficult season, so to be rewarded with the regular-season title is only fitting. We have played some wonderful soccer throughout the campaign, and we can be proud of our achievement, but the job is only halfway complete. The goal this season is to win both PBC trophies, so now we turn our attention to the challenge ahead of us on Tuesday.
 
"Winning this title wouldn't have been possible without the support and dedication from our administration and staff. The team would like to thank everyone connected with the program for the countless hours of work and dedication in making this season possible."
 
Over the past two seasons, Flagler is 16-0-2 in conference play with two regular-season titles to show for and now the Saints will try and match it with its second straight PBC Tournament trophy, beginning Tuesday when the top-seeded Saints host No. 4 UNC Pembroke at 6 p.m.
 
The Saints' fifth straight win got off to a fast start thanks to Jess Leach as she wasted no time getting on the board and scoring her fourth goal in the fourth minute via an assist from Phoebe Licence. When the 17th minute came around, it was Licence this time with the goal for her first of the season to put the Saints ahead, 2-0.
 
GSW (0-6-1, 0-6-1) contained Flagler and its 41-shot performance — 23 of which were on goal — for 15 minutes following the pair of goals; however, the Saints got past keeper Trinity Chastain three more times before the half concluded over a five-minute stretch. In the 33rd minute, Annie Habeeb scored her fourth of the year, and then Moa Arlebo and Josefine Nilsen connected twice to push Arlebo's goal total to four as the Saints carried a 5-nil lead into halftime.
 
The Saints kept the same mojo rolling in the second half as Lorena Lopez joined the scoring with her first goal — via Nilsen's third assist of the day and four total — in the 79th minute. Then three minutes after her goal, it Lopez on the passing end, finding Annie Habeeb as she capped off the seven-goal match with perfect accuracy with her second goal and fifth of the season.
 
In goal for Flagler, Madison North and Nadia Fung split 45 minutes apiece for the Saints and secured the fifth consecutive shutout and the sixth clean sheet in Flagler's seven PBC matches. Sara Sandberg, Maria Castorino Mujica, Nilsen and Arlebo all had five shots for Flagler, while Alycia Dowling had four and Lopez had three.
 
 
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