CENTRAL, S.C. (Sept. 24) – Senior Pedro Franca and sophomore Christen Lugo-Elibox registered goals on Saturday afternoon, as the Trojans secured a 2-0 shutout victory at Southern Wesleyan in Conference Carolinas play.

With the win, the University of Mount Olive men's soccer program improves to 6-4 overall with a 3-2 mark in conference action. The Trojans claimed their fifth-consecutive win over the Warriors and have outscored SWU 27-3 during that stretch. Meanwhile, Southern Wesleyan falls to 1-7-1 this season behind an 0-5-1 mark in league play.

Mount Olive pushed on the attacking side of the pitch in the opening 15-plus minutes after notching a pair of shots and two corner kicks. After a corner kick into the box was headed clear, Franca volleyed the ball into the net to deliver the opening goal at the 31:32-mark, 1-0. UMO attempted to add to the advantage in the closing minutes of the first half with four shots on goal before taking the one-goal lead into the break.

The Warriors looked to tie the match in the initial 15 minutes of the second half with three shots but were unable to stop the scoreless drought. The Trojans tallied 11 shots and six corner kicks over 40-plus minutes before Lugo-Elibox scored his first career goal after receiving a pass into the box from senior Trevor Berk in the 89th minute, 2-0.

Sophomore goalkeeper Axel Engren claimed the shutout win after recording two saves on six shots faced in 90 minutes.

UMO held a 24-6 shot advantage, including a 10-3 edge in shots on goal, while also posting a 13-3 lead in corner kicks.

The Trojans return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 28, when they host Barton in conference action at Amon Field, starting at 7 p.m.