PEMBROKE, N.C. (Sept. 23) – Despite a two-goal performance from senior
Makenna Copley, the Trojans registered a 3-3 draw at UNC Pembroke on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas play.
With the tie, the University of Mount Olive women's soccer team moves to 0-2-4 this season with a 0-1-2 mark in league action. It marks just the second draw in the series dating back to 2001. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke holds a 3-3-1 record behind a 2-1-1 mark in conference play.
After early pressure on goal by both sides, the Trojans scored the opening goal of the contest after junior
Tianna Hill delivered a pass to Copley, who slotted the strike over the goalkeeper in the 12th minute. At the 24:44 mark, the Braves were awarded a penalty kick, which they converted off the foot of Anna Grossheim to tie the match at 1-1. Just under seven minutes later, junior
Olivia Womack cleaned up a failed clearance from a cross into the box to score her first goal of the season to regain the lead, 2-1. UNC Pembroke registered three more shots, including one on goal, in the final four-plus minutes, as the Trojans held the one-goal advantage at the break.
The Braves immediately controlled possession offensively over the initial 15-plus minutes of the second half, as graduate student goalkeeper
Nicole Solicito collected three saves. In the 68th minute, the Trojans delivered a corner kick into the box before the loose ball found Copley, who buried it into the back of the net, 3-1. Just 14 seconds later, UNC Pembroke sent the kickoff long to Grossheim, and following a cross into the box the Braves cut the deficit to 3-2 on a goal by Mercy Bell. The Braves continued to pressure the offensive end over the final 15 minutes before Ilaya Bigford tied the contest at 3-3 at the 88:53 mark to end the contest in a draw.
Solicito played all 90 minutes between the posts and produced eight saves on 27 shots attempted.
The Braves held a 12-6 advantage in shots on goal while also finishing with an 8-6 edge in corner kicks.
UMO returns to Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday, Sept. 26, when it hosts Chowan at Amon Field with kickoff set for 3 p.m.
