CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte senior tri-captain Rebecca Beatty struck from 25 yards out with just under 10 minutes left in the first half and the 49ers defense withstood a strong second-period surge from UTEP to post a 1-0 triumph and send the Niners into the Conference USA Championships final Sunday morning at Transamerica Field. It will mark Charlotte’s fourth all-time appearance in the C-USA championship game and first since its initial stint in the league in 1999.

Beatty found the back of the net for her third score of the campaign in the 36th minute, highlighting an 11-to-4 shot advantage in the frame for the 49ers. Freshman Riley Orr, an All-Conference USA Third Team honoree, sent a throw-in into junior Martha Thomas, the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, who one-touched the ball over to Beatty for the strike behind goalkeeper Alyssa Palacios at the 35:30 mark.

Both teams had several chances in the opening frame looking for other goals but both Charlotte (10-8-2) netminder Anna Shelden and Palacios remained stout in their respective cages entering the intermission.

The No.-7 seeded Miners came out of the break with an offensive flurry, peppering the 49ers defense with a number of chances. Fortunately for Charlotte, the No. 6 seed, several of the opportunities were sent wide, turned into corner kicks or blocked by the defensive back line.

The 49ers finally were able to create some offense of their own in the later stages, including an Emily Truelove corner kick bouncing directly off the crossbar. UTEP (13-7-2) continued to push forward, however, but could not find the equalizer despite several close looks. Charlotte then kept the ball out of danger as the final seconds ticked away.

With the win, the Niners advance to their first league tournament final since a 2010 berth as members of the Atlantic 10. It was the last of a four-year stretch in which Charlotte reached the championships match in the conference.

As members of Conference USA, the 49ers own two tournament titles, 1995 and 1998, with the other title game appearance coming in 1999.

Charlotte will square off against No.-4 seed Florida Atlantic at 11 a.m. Sunday live on ESPN3. Jared Allen and Daniel Bruce will be on the call as the Niners seek their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008.
 

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