BEREA, Ky. – Maryville kept pace in the chase for first place with a convincing 5-0 victory Tuesday night at Berea.
 
The Scots improved to 8-2-3 overall and 4-0-1 in the Collegiate Conference of the South. They turn their attention immediately to Saturday's showdown against first-place Belhaven (6-0-0 in the CCS) over in the Mississippi capital city.
 
Maryville needs a win to go top of the table with just three league matches remaining.
 
Tuesday night, Maryville made it nine wins in nine meetings against the Mountaineers since Berea joined the USA South and CCS. The Scots outscored their northern neighbors 61-3 over those nine matches, including five goals in this one. Berea is leaving the CCS after this season.
 
Maryville got on the board first with a tally in the 21st minute. The Scots played a corner kick short and then fired into the box. The ball caromed around between offense and defense before it settled at the feet of Madison McDonald, who poked it to Hailey Cartt. The junior fired cleanly into the upper left half of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
That was the margin at halftime.
 
Two Goals in Quick Order
MC scored twice in a 1:40 span midway through the second half for a 3-0 cushion. Katie Corley accounted for one of the goals from right in front, tapping in an advancement by Anabelle Procter. And Hannah Smoot also scored during that flurry, firing into the right upper netting with an assist from Alex Smith.
 
In the 75th minute, Sierra Lee connected from long range. She fired a looping line drive from the 30-yard area that sailed over the Berea goalkeeper's head and just under the crossbar. Hailey Cartt set Lee up for her league-tying eighth goal of the season.
 
Maryville's final score came in the 89th minute, with Anne Marie Konieczny tallying her second in as many matches. Avery Brown set up the goal with a nifty pass.
 
Sophie Turner grabbed the win in goal for the Scots with 78 minutes of work before giving way to Sydney Mahr for the final 12.
 
Maryville posted an 18-1 advantage in shots and a 12-0 margin in corner kicks. Berea goalkeeper Kyla Simmons made eight saves.
 
Maryville and Belhaven kick it off Saturday at 1 p.m. Central time.