Florence, S.C. --- The University of Mount Olive Women's Soccer program (15-0-2) took down fifth-seeded Belmont Abbey College (9-9-1) 2-0 in the Semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Championship, Friday afternoon at the Florence Soccer Complex in Florence, S.C. The win advances UMO to their third straight conference championship final. Prior to the match, the Conference Carolinas All-Conference and major award winners were announced. Added to the Trojans already published all-conference players was
Erica Boswell, who earned the Elite 23 Award.
INSIDE THE SCORE:
The semifinals of the women's soccer conference championships started with Mount Olive pushing the tempo. UMO broke the tie in the 12th minute when
Jasmine Pinter found
Nya Baccelli, and the Trojans took the lead.
Seven minutes later Pinter found the back of the net herself, collecting her eighth goal of the season, after a pass from
Ashley Kerekes. The UMO defense held the Crusaders to just one shot for the remainder of the half and took the 2-0 lead into the break.
The second period had Mount Olive keep their foot on the gas as they pushed three shots home in the opening eight minutes. Following a BAC shot in the 55th minute, the Trojans blasted home seven consecutive shots before the run stopped in the 68th minute.
Belmont Abbey had no answer in the final minutes as only four shots were recorded and Mount Olive cruised to the 2-0 win.
Mount Olive Leaders:
Pinter and Baccelli led the team with three shots, two on frame, each for UMO.
Belmont Abbey Leaders:
The Crusaders were led by Logan Perry with three shots.
Coaches Comments:
"The girls were absolutely fantastic tonight. Any time you play a perennial winner like Belmont Abbey, a program full of character, you know you will be in for a long night and the girls rose to the occasion. Now we need to turn our focus to recovering physically and mentally for the championship game," said head coach
Sharif Saber.
Whats Next:
The Trojans advance to their third straight conference championship final. UMO will play either UNC Pembroke or North Greenville on Sunday.