MOUNT OLIVE (Sept. 10) – The Trojans featured four different goal scorers in a 4-1 victory versus Emmanuel on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas action at Amon Field.
With the win, the University of Mount Olive men's soccer team improves to 3-3 this season behind a 1-1 record in conference play. UMO returned home for the first time since Aug. 25 after playing four-consecutive road matches. Meanwhile, the Lions drop to 1-3 overall with a 1-1 mark in league action after posting a shutout over Erskine during the midweek.
In the first half, the Trojans jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the 16th minute after junior
Kevin Avila scored at the near post, his first goal of the season, off an assist from sophomore
Guilherme Semola. Both teams would trade shots over the next 10-plus minutes with both goalkeepers recording a save. Mount Olive took the lead into the break after both sides exchanged possession in the closing minutes of the half.
The Trojans stretch the advantage to 2-0 at the 46:13-mark after a cross into the box from Avila was headed home by junior
Amin Ferreira, his first of the year. In the 57th minute, Emmanuel was awarded a penalty kick and senior Albert Bajrami laced it into the net to cut into the deficit, 2-1. Mount Olive would shift momentum into their attacking half of the field and total four shots and a pair of corner kicks looking to regain the two-goal advantage. In the 80th minute, Emmanuel went down to 10-men after a straight red card was issued and a penalty was given to UMO. Senior
Roberto Hernandez would step up to the spot and deliver a goal to give the Trojans a 3-1 lead. Mount Olive added an insurance goal in the final 10 seconds of the match as senior
Pedro Franca scored his first of the season off an assist by freshman
Wesley Mhlanga, 4-1.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Axel Engren secured the victory behind five saves on 11 shots faced in 90 minutes of play on Saturday.
UMO held a 16-11 shot advantage, including a 9-6 edge in shots on goal, while also holding a 7-2 lead in corner kicks.
The Trojans return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 14, when they host Shaw in non-conference play with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
