Ross Bowman recorded 17 saves on 34 shots as nationally 11th-ranked University of Mount Olive edged No. 15 Belmont Abbey College 9-5 in Conference Carolinas men's lacrosse Saturday at Belmont, N.C. The win keeps Mount Olive unbeaten in conference play and improves the Trojans' record to 2-1 this season against nationally ranked opponents.

Mount Olive (8-2 overall, 3-0 Conference Carolinas) built a 3-0 lead in the first period and held the lead for the entire contest. Matt Shields scored two of his game-high three goals in the first period.

Bowman survived an early onslaught, making a save after Belmont Abbey (6-2, 0-1) missed three shot attempts in a span of 55 seconds in the first period. He recorded 11 of his saves in the second half, including a save on a Crusader extra-man opportunity.

Goals by Nico Shewey and Stephen Bowlan gave Mount Olive a 5-1 lead with 8:17 left in the first half. Belmont Abbey came back with a pair of goals, but Alex Tindall scored with one second left to give the Trojans a 6-3 halftime lead.

Shields assisted on Ryan Morris' goal for the only goal of the third period, then added his third goal midway through the fourth period. Jesse Mitchell scored with 4:57 left in the contest to give Mount Olive its biggest lead at 9-3. Belmont Abbey scored two goals in the final two-plus minutes of the game.

Mount Olive heads to the Sunshine State next Saturday as the Trojans take on Lynn University. Match time is 7 p.m. at Boca Raton, Fla.