SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Nov. 20) – Playing in their second-straight overtime match, the Trojans fell 2-1 in the extra period against Converse on Sunday afternoon in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Championship Final.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive field hockey team concludes the season with a 14-4 overall record after appearing in its first-ever SAC Championship match. It was a remarkable season for UMO as they shattered their single-season win total and multiple offensive and defensive records throughout the season. Meanwhile, the Valkyries improve to 17-2 this season and repeat as the conference championships, winning both title matches on their home turf.
In the first quarter, Converse scored in the opening minutes, but the goal was reversed following a call from the officials. The Valkyries totaled two more shots in the first, while the Trojans were awarded a penalty corner late but were unable to find an opening. Converse continued to pressure offensively in the second with three shots over seven minutes of action, but the UMO defense held up. Mount Olive eventually got on the counterattack with senior
Railyn King netting the opening goal off an assist from freshman
Nikki Bos at the 23:10-mark. In the final minutes of the second, the Valkyries had five penalty corners before eventually breaking through in the final 30 seconds on a goal by sophomore Luisa Fasold, 1-1.
The third quarter featured limited action with only two total shots taken despite both sides being shown a green card. Converse sustained its offensive push in the fourth, earning three penalty corners and two shots on goal, which were saved. Both teams were unable to break the deadlock with the game heading to overtime.
In the overtime period, the Valkyries wasted little time and found the game-winning goal from sophomore Catalina Pistaccio at the far post off a pass from teammate Lotte Kanters to win the title.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Alanna Barrett matched a season-high with five saves on 16 shots faced in nearly 63 minutes between the posts.