From staff reports
The Catawba women’s soccer team advanced to the SAC tournament final with a 2-0 victory against third-seeded Wingate on Friday in Rock Hill, S.C.
Paige Harrington scored two second-half goals to lead Catawba (15-4-1). The second-seeded Indians will face top-seeded Carson-Newman for the title Sunday at 1 p.m.Harrington, who had the only goal in Catawba’s quarterfinal win against Newberry, scored off a rebound of her own shot in the 49th minute. Freshman Lena Suarez got the assist on Harrington’s goal in the 74th minute.
Harrington, a senior, now has 10 goals this season. Freshman keeper Lindsay Webster made five saves in her seventh shutout of the season.
Carson-Newman won 3-1 against Lenoir-Rhyne in the other semifinal.
n Catawba placed five players on the women’s all-SAC teams.
Seniors Lainey Nichols and Alyssa Schoenberg, as well as Suarez, made the first team. Webster and senior Nikki Blackwelder made the second team.
Nichols, a midfielder, repeats as a first-team selection. Schoenberg, a defender, also repeated after helping Catawba post 10 shutouts. Suarez, a forward, has three game-winning goals among her total of 10.
Blackwelder, who has been a defender and midfielder, repeated as a second-team pick.
Top honors went to Tusculum’s Danielle Tanner (player of the year), Carson-Newman goalkeeper Lauren Mackenzie (freshman of the year) and Carson-Newman’s Phil McNamara (coach of the year).
n Catawba junior Kyle Ganow has been named the SAC’s Scholar Athlete for men’s soccer. He’s the first men’s player from Catawba to earn the honor since 1999.
A biology major, Ganow has a 3.72 GPA and is member of three honor societies. He started 16 of 18 matches this season as a defender.
n Prep football
James McCandies threw two touchdowns as West Davidson wrapped up the CCC title with a 20-7 win over Central Davidson.
Jarvis’ total of 19 touchdown passes broke Jonathan Crim’s school mark. Jon Jarvis and Jordan Hudson hauled in the TDs.
Alex Grubb, who had 155 yards rushing, scored the other TD on an 80-yard run. Brandon Smith had his fifth interception of the season, and Vincent Little also had a pick for West (8-3, 6-1). It moved up to first after Salisbury forfeited four games for using an ineligible player.
n SAC volleyball
Catawba senior Melissa Powers has been named to ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-District III volleyball team. She’s a second-team pick for the second straight year.
An elementary education major, Powers has posted a 3.59 GPA during her first six semesters. She has set school records for kills in a match, season and career.
n CIAA football
Livingstone football players Robert Massey-Brice and Devonta Harmon made the all-CIAA second team.
Massey-Brice, a linebacker who had a team-leading 64 tackles, ranked sixth in the league in stops per game. He led the league with four forced fumbles and also made four recoveries.
Harmon ranked third in the CIAA with five interceptions. He also broke up five passes and finished with 36 tackles.
Top honors went to Elizabeth City State quarterback Curtis Rich (offense) and Shaw’s Louis Ellis (defense).
n Prep hoops
Mount Tabor girls basketball standouts Shay Jones and Jennifer Penley made college commitments recently.
Jones, a point guard, has chosen Charleston Southern. Penley, a center, has picked Navy.