EVANS, Ga. - The top-ranked and top-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State University women's soccer team scored once in each half to capture the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship with a 2-0 win over No. 20-ranked and third-seeded Columbus State University on Sunday afternoon at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga.

The Pirates (18-1-1) extended their own school-record win streak while tying the Peach Belt Conference win streak record of 18 straight, set by Kennesaw State in 2002. Armstrong also receives the league's automatic bid into the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championships. Columbus State (17-4-1) falls in the PBC Championship game for a second straight season and will await word of a possible at-large berth into the NCAA Championships, which will be announced on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.

Armstrong got on the board in the 21st minute as senior Nadima Skeff curled in a shot from the left side of the box into the side netting, beating Columbus State keeper Mary Mancin for the first goal of the match. 

Columbus State's best chance to score in the first half came in the 23rd minute as a header by Shea Wilby was saved by Pirate keeper Morgan Luckie. Armstrong went into halftime holding a 6-3 edge in shots.

In the second half, the Pirates generated early scoring chances as senior Morgan Mitchell and juniorAndye Dawson each forced saves by Mancin in the first 13 minutes after intermission, but Columbus State also generated scoring chances as Luckie turned away a clear shot by Ashley Miller in the 61st minute.

The Pirates put the match away in the 82nd minute on a corner kick by Danielle Fey that sailed across the goal face, over Mancin and onto the foot of freshman defender Taylor Russell, who volleyed it off the crossbar and into the goal for the 2-0 lead.

Columbus State found only one more shot the rest of the way as the Pirates claimed the victory and their third PBC Tournament Championship in school history, with their other wins coming in 2009 and 2011.

"This team has dealt with a target on its back all season," Armstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. "To go through the Peach Belt regular season undefeated and to win the tournament is a credit to this wonderful group of ladies. We are excited to be back in the NCAA tournament and look forward to the challenges ahead."

Armstrong enjoyed a 15-11 edge in shots on the match and also had four corner kicks, compared to three for the Cougars. Mancin made nine saves in net for the Cougars, while Luckie made five saves in the shutout win.

The Pirates were whistled for 10 fouls, compared to two for the Cougars, and Armstrong was whistled for the only offsides of the match.

Senior midfielder Courtney Cawley was named the PBC Tournament MVP, while Morgan Mitchell, Morgan Luckie and Taylor Russell each earned All-Tournament honors for the Pirates.