Mount Olive fought back from an early deficit, but with a chance to send their Conference Carolinas women's soccer opener to an extra session, the Trojans could not find the back of the net in a 2-1 loss to Limestone Saturday night at Amon Field.

The young Trojans (0-4 Overall, 0-1 Conference Carolinas) answered the Saints' challenge in the first period. With a steady rain falling and a stiff wind blowing in their faces, the Trojans delivered a tying goal from freshman Ellie Barnes in the 42nd minute for a 1-1 deadlock at intermission. The marker was the squad's first of the season and came following a centering pass from Tia Rose.

The pinpoint accuracy Rose showed in threading the pass between two Saint defenders was missing late in the match with Mount Olive trailing 2-1. In the final two minutes, the Trojans managed to get a pair of corner kick opportunities. The first try was deflected out of bounds. The second kick squirted through the defense, but a shot attempt in traffic was off-target.

Mount Olive outshot Limestone 11-8 in the contest, and a couple that did not find their target hurt. Defensively, the Trojans got a stellar performance from its back line. Goalkeeper Carolin Edenhofner failed to record a save, but made a spectacular stop on a loose ball in front of the net on a Limestone corner kick.

The Saints (2-2, 1-0 CC) struck first when Ashley Spanitz beat the Trojan defense to a ball in the box in the 36th minute. Leah Kennington made the play possible when she managed to center the ball past Edenhofner from a sharp angle to the right of the goal. Gabriella Reid delivered the game-winner in the 59th minute, taking a centering pass from Taylor Sanders, who entered the line-up moments earlier.

Mount Olive returns to action Wednesday when the Trojans travel to Laurinburg, N.C. to meet former Conference Carolinas opponent St. Andrews beginning at 5 p.m.