MOUNT OLIVE (Oct. 5) – After scoring three goals in the first quarter, the University of Mount Olive field hockey team secured a 4-2 win over Lander on Wednesday afternoon in South Atlantic Conference (SAC) play at Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex.

With the win, the Trojans improve to 3-3 overall behind a 3-0 record in league action. Mount Olive has now claimed three-straight wins at home and defeat the Bearcats in the first meeting between the sides. Meanwhile, Lander drops to 1-3 this year with an identical record in conference play while competing in its inaugural season as a program.

The Trojans scored in the opening five minutes of the contest after freshman Nikki Bos netted her team-leading fourth goal of the season off an assist from teammate Jule Schuurman, 1-0. Mount Olive would continue to apply pressure on the attacking half before junior Avery Congleton extended the lead on a goal following an assist from sophomore Amber Dercksen at the 9:23-mark, 2-0. Just over a minute late, the Trojans stretched the advantage to 3-0 after sophomore Annefleur Moerkerken tallied her second goal of the year.

The second quarter was evenly matched between the teams, as Lander registered the first shot over 10 minutes into the quarter. The Bearcats eventually cut into the deficit at the 29:11-mark after freshman Emma Allon found the back of the cage, 3-1.

Lander found opportunities early in the third after receiving a pair of penalty corners, but the UMO defense tallied two blocks to hold onto the two-goal lead. After earning a penalty corner, Congleton scored her second goal of the match with an assist by Bos after sending a rebound save into the net at the 38:06-mark, 4-1.

In the fourth quarter, the Bearcats recorded a goal by freshman Lauren Punt off a rebound after an initial save following a penalty corner, 4-2. The Trojan defense posted a pair of blocks in the closing minutes to claim the 4-2 win.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alanna Barrett finished with three saves on 11 shots attempted in 60 minutes of action.

Lander held an 11-10 shot advantage and a 4-3 edge in penalty corners, while UMO posted an 8-5 lead in shots on goal.

Mount Olive returns to play on Saturday, Oct. 8, when it travels to face Belmont Abbey in conference play, starting at 2 p.m.