MURFREESBORO, N.C. (Oct. 25) – Despite two goals in the first half, the University of Mount Olive women's soccer program was unable to hold off a late second-half surge in a 2-2 tie at Chowan on Wednesday afternoon in Conference Carolinas action.

With the draw, the Trojans move to 5-3-7 overall with a 4-2-5 mark in conference play. Mount Olive entered the final week of the regular season at No. 6 in the KPI standings, which determines seeding in the league tournament. Meanwhile, the Hawks stand at 2-6-5 this season behind a 2-4-5 record in conference action.

In the first half, UMO grabbed the lead in the sixth minute after junior Olivia Womack found the back of the net after initially hitting the post to take a 1-0 advantage. Both sides would log a shot on goal over the next 10-plus minutes before the Trojans were awarded a penalty kick at the 22:35 mark. Senior Makenna Copley stepped to the spot and easily scored into the right side of the net for her team-leading seventh goal of the year, 2-0. After limited chances over the final minutes of the half, Mount Olive took a two-goal lead into the break while boasting an 8-3 advantage in shots.

Following limited action early in the second half, the Hawks cut into the deficit in the 77th minute after Regan Jackson scored into the top of the net off an assist by Nicole Mejia, 2-1. At the 84:47 mark, Chowan found the equalizing goal after Karla Artolozaga scored at the far post off a cross into the box by Mayara Engel, 2-2.

Graduate student goalkeeper Nicole Solicito tallied four saves on nine shots faced while playing all 90 minutes.

Mount Olive finished with a 12-9 edge in shots while Chowan held a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.

The Trojans conclude the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 28, when they face UNC Pembroke at Amon Field, starting at 7 p.m.