MOUNT OLIVE – Despite an opening goal in the initial ten minutes of the contest, the Trojans fell to nationally-ranked No. 11 Flagler in their season-opener at Amon Field on Thursday afternoon.

With the loss, the University of Mount Olive women's soccer team begins the season at 0-1 after being selected third in the preseason Conference Carolinas poll. Meanwhile, the Saints improve to 1-0 this year after being picked as the preseason favorite in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) following their third-straight league tournament title.

The Trojans pounced early in the contest after sophomore Tianna Hill stole the ball from the goalkeeper just beyond midfield and found classmate Delia Allwood to take a 1-0 lead at the 8:00-mark. Flagler would respond with three shots, including one of goal over the next four-plus minutes trying to tie the contest. The Saints would eventually find their equalizer in the 17th minute on a goal by sophomore Andrea Fernandez following a long pass from the goalkeeper, 1-1. Both teams would exchange shots the in the remainder of the half with senior goalie Nicole Solicito securing four saves. 

In the second half, Flagler produced the go-ahead goal in the 48th minute, as Fernandez delivered a free-kick into the top-right corner of the net, her second goal of the contest. Mount Olive attempted to answer with a pair of shots on goal over a three-minute span. The Saints were able to maintain possession over the remainder of the game in rainy conditions to hold onto a 2-1 victory on Thursday.

Solicito collected five saves on 10 shots faced in the season-opener in 90 minutes of action. 

The Saints held a 10-9 shot advantage, as both teams tallied six corner kicks in the contest.

Mount Olive returns to action on Saturday, Aug. 27, when it travels to face Wingate with playing starting at 5 p.m