BELMONT N.C. (Apri1 1) – Despite a hat trick from junior Chapman Parker, the University of Mount Olive men's lacrosse team fell by an 8-7 margin to Belmont Abbey on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas action.

With the loss, Mount Olive falls to 4-6 overall with a 2-1 mark in conference play. It marked the first meeting between the sides since the 2022 league championship game. Meanwhile, the Crusaders improve to 7-3 overall with a 3-0 record in league action. 

­In the first quarter, BAC was able to score the initial three goals of the contest, 3-0. At the 1:51-mark, Parker netted his first goal of the contest to end the scoreless drought for the Trojans, 3-1. Closing the first quarter, the Crusaders found the back of the cage, 4-1. Opening the second quarter, Parker put on past the keeper the cut the deficit to two goals, 4-2. Nearing the end of the second quarter, Belmont Abbey scored back-to-back goals, to take the lead going into halftime, 6-2. 

At the start of the second half, Parker completed his hat trick at the 8:25-mark of the match, 6-3. On a man-up opportunity, BAC was able to score to extend the lead by four, 7-3. After winning the face-off, UMO scored at the 8:13-mark with a goal by senior Samuel Skousen, 7-4. Soon after, graduate student Braydon Hickey netted his first goal of the match, 7-5. Closing the third quarter, the Crusaders answered with another goal, 8-5. In the last frame, Mount Olive was able to shut out Belmont Abbey as they saw no goals. With two back-to-back goals by Skousen and senior Aidan Lalonde, the Trojans fell by one, 8-7. 

Parker led the team with three goals. Face-off specialist, and graduate student Mike Marto went 11-17 in the contest with three ground balls

Goalkeeper Jacob Brown had 10 saves on 18 shots on goal while collecting three ground balls. 

UMO meets North Greenville in one week for a conference matchup at the Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex on Saturday, April, 8 at 12:00 p.m.