PEMBROKE – Visiting Montevallo got a six-save shutout from Kaitlin Thomas and used a 68th minute penalty kick from Nicola Stolworthy to upset previously unbeaten and short-handed UNCP, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Grounds.

The victory snapped a four-game series winless skid for the Falcons (4-1-1, 1-0-0 PBC) who improved to 1-3-1 all-time in the series with UNCP (3-1-1, 1-1-0). The setback marked the first of the season for the Lady Braves who had outscored their opponents 11-1 and posted a trio of shutouts heading into Saturday's league tilt.

Thomas stopped all four UNCP shots on goal in the opening half, and then picked up two more saves in the second stanza, to tally her first shutout of the season.  Janae Aiken recorded a career-best six saves in her first start between the pipes for the Lady Braves. Amalia Arvidsson turned in a team-best five shots for the hosts, while Jade Pennock registered a game-best six strikes for the Falcons.

"The Peach Belt is the best NCAA Division II conference in the country and, when you create the kind of opportunities that we did today - multiple breakaways, opportunity after opportunity -  and you don't finish, you can't win in this league."

A majority of the opening minutes of the first half went through Montevallo's half of the field as the Lady Braves recorded 10 of the game's first 15 shots, but came away wanting on each attempt. Montevallo's best chance to score came on consecutive strikes in the 12th minute – the first on a strike by Nicole Johnston that ricocheted off the crossbar, and the second on the follow up shot by Christine Prince who went way high of the goal despite shooting from eight yards out.

UNCP actually looked to have grabbed the lead late in the first half on a Rebecca Womack goal, but the linesman on the near side had his flag proudly hoisted in signaling offsides. Womack's shot came on a rebound following a quality short-range shot by freshman Rae-Shawna Campbell.

Prince would have another quality chance in the 68th minute as the junior raced inside the box before being fouled. The infraction warranted a penalty kick attempt and Stolworthy delivered low and to Aiken's left for the game's only goal.

UNCP will be back in action again on Saturday when the Lady Braves suit up to entertain PBC rival Clayton State (3-2-0, 0-0-0) in the front half of a 5 p.m. women's and men's soccer doubleheader at Varsity Grounds.

To watch the full game click HERE.