MOUNT OLIVE (Oct. 14) – Despite building an early two-goal advantage in the first half on Saturday afternoon, the Trojans played to a 2-2 tie versus Belmont Abbey at Amon Field on Senior Day in Conference Carolinas play.

With the draw, the University of Mount Olive women's soccer program moves to 3-3-6 this season behind a 3-2-4 mark in conference action. The Trojans had previously won the last four matches in the series, and it marks the first tie between the sides since 2019. Meanwhile, Belmont Abbey holds a 6-2-4 record with a 4-1-3 mark in league play.

In the first half, graduate student goalkeeper Nicole Solicito was forced into action early with three saves in the opening four minutes. The Trojans shifted possession into their favor before senior Makenna Copley peppered a shot into the top-right corner of the net for her team-leading sixth goal off a pass from sophomore Mia Dixie in the seventh minute, 1-0. At the 17:01 mark, Mount Olive added to the lead after Copley delivered a pass to sophomore Addison Dangler, who directed it to senior Amanda McLeod to beat the goalie, 2-0. The Trojans nearly extended the advantage in the 25th minute with a shot from Dangler that hit the corner of the left post and was eventually cleared by the defense. In the closing minutes of the half, the Crusaders were awarded a penalty kick on a handball in the box at the 43:04 mark. From the spot, Austin Bowling of Belmont Abbey scored to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into halftime.

The Trojans pressured the net near the midway point of the second half with junior Tianna Hill and Copley both forcing the goalkeeper into saves. At the 73:30 mark, the Crusaders tied the match at 2-2 after Alyssa Espinosa scored off a rebound from the initial shot by Paige D'Agostin. The Trojan defense held strong over the final 15 minutes with Solicito collecting three more saves.

Solicito finished with a career-high 10 saves while facing 18 shots over 90 minutes of action.

The Crusaders held a significant 12-6 advantage in shots on goal while both sides tallied two corner kicks in the match.

Mount Olive returns to action on Tuesday, Oct. 17, when they host Florida National in non-conference play at Amon Field with kickoff set for 4 p.m.