Goalkeeper Kyle Lavender recorded eight saves in his first start of the season, but two goals in the second half broke a scoreless tie as Mount Olive fell to Northwood (Fla.) 2-0 in non-conference men's soccer Thursday at Amon Field. The match was the second for the Trojans in as many nights.

Mount Olive (0-4-0) was outshot 9-0 in the first half, but kept the half scoreless thanks to five saves by Lavender and a key defensive play by Macon Watkins. Lavender deflected a shot by Marcus Johansson off the right post and the ball landed just in front of the goal line. Watkins cleared the ball out of the box before any Northwood player could make a follow-up shot.

The Trojans made wholesale substitutions at the half, keeping Lavender in goal, but replacing eight of 10 field players. Alex Bosch had Mount Olive's first shot in the 56th minute, capturing a loose ball after his own corner kick service. Bosch set up the corner kick with a 30-yard service from the left side that Northwood goalkeeper Mark Dawson had to punch out.

Mount Olive had another scoring chance in the 58th minute when Caleb Tierney's shot from just above the 18 was blocked. Josh Woodburn recovered the deflection, but his 30-yard attempt was just wide of the left post.

Northwood (3-2-0) scored a pair of goals in a span of just over six minutes, starting with Johansson's goal at 60:50. Olli Isosalo headed the ball into the box to Johansson, who scored from 10 yards out. At 67:02, Matthew Farnworth played a ball in the box to Joe Hughes, who went left to elude a defender and scored just inside the right post.

The Trojans were outshot by Northwood 19-4 for the match. The Seahawks finished with a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Mount Olive plays its final contest of a season-opening five-match homestand Saturday as the Trojans play host to King in Conference Carolinas action. Match time is 4 p.m. at Amon Field and will be followed at 7 p.m. by Mount Olive women's soccer vs. King.