GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum College women's soccer team assured itself of at least a share of its first South Atlantic Conference championship in 12 years with a 2-0 victory over Catawba College Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Field.

Carlie Thornber and Rachel Roberts scored off set pieces just over two minutes apart in the first half as the Pioneers (10-3-2, 8-1-1 SAC) guaranteed itself no worse than a share of its first SAC crown since 2004. Tusculum can win the league title outright with a win or tie in its regular-season finale Saturday at Wingate.

Sonja Ballmert and Olivia Kilgore assisted on both first-half goals for the Pioneers, who outshot the Indians (6-6-2, 5-4-1 SAC) by a 12-10 margin in the match.

Catawba had the early edge over Tusculum, putting a pair of shots on goal in the first five minutes. In all, the Indians had the first five shots of the match in the first 17 minutes, but Pioneer keeper Miriah Martin made three saves to keep the match scoreless.

Tusculum put its first shot on goal in the 23rd minute off the foot of Ballmert, and took the lead about 5 1/2 minutes later as a free kick by Kilgore was played off the head of Ballmert to the feet of Thornber, who turned and fired home her third goal of the season at 27:40 for a 1-0 Pioneer lead.

The Pioneers added to their lead just under 2 1/2 minutes later under nearly identical circumstances, as Kilgore's free kick was directed by Ballmert to Roberts, who went far side past Catawba keeper Shelby Thompson for her third goal of the year and a 2-0 Tusculum lead at 29:52.

Tusculum nearly took a 3-0 lead in the 54th minute, but Thompson made a diving stop on a shot by the Pioneers' Carly Mill. Martin was tested just twice in the second half, but went high to make both stops on shots by the Indians' Bailey Howell in the 62nd minute and Kiersten Peck in the 78th minute. Catawba did not attempt a shot in the final 11 1/2 minutes.

Martin finished with five saves for Tusculum in recording her eighth shutout of the season, fourth in a row at home and seventh in her last eight matches overall. Thompson had five saves for Catawba before giving way to Shannon Hardy, who faced just one shot in the final 9 1/2 minutes.

Catawba had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks, while Tusculum was whistled for seven fouls to five by the Indians.

The Pioneers were also flagged twice for offsides. Tusculum will play its final home match of the regular season on Tuesday at 5 p.m. with a non-conference contest against Belmont Abbey.