CLOVER, S.C. (Sept. 26) – After falling into a one-goal deficit early in the contest, UMO recorded a 3-1 victory over the Crusaders in South Atlantic Conference (SAC) action on Tuesday afternoon. 
 
With the win, the University of Mount Olive field hockey team improves to 8-1 overall and 7-0 in the SAC. This win marks the Trojan's 20th consecutive conference win under Daan Polders dating back to 2021. Meanwhile, Belmont Abbey falls to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in conference play. 
 
BAC was first to score just less than three minutes into the match, 1-0. The rest of the first quarter remained scoreless as the Trojans were only able to get one shot opportunity. At the start of the second quarter, both teams fought hard for possession. With a 6-1 advantage in shots and a 6-0 edge in penalty corners, Mount Olive still trailed by one going into halftime.
 
In the third period of the match, both the Trojans and the Crusaders saw shots on goal. Although both teams fought to earn scoring opportunities, the score remained 1-0 in favor of BAC. Just when Belmont Abbey thought they would walk away with a win, UMO leveled the match at the 50:54 mark when senior Avery Congleton sent a through ball to find Jemimah Kriechelberg. With a one-on-one opportunity, Kriechelberg beat the keeper and scored with a backhand shot, 1-1. Just two minutes later, freshman Femke van Marle crossed the ball toward the stroke mark and with a deflection by Kriechelberg, the Trojans were up 2-1. Shortly after, the Crusaders pulled their goalkeeper to try and level the match with an extra field player. At the 55:53 mark, van Marle saw Congleton near the top of the circle, scoring on the empty cage, Mount Olive sealed the 3-1 victory over the Crusaders. 
 
Goalkeeper freshman Mia Neckritz and senior Alanna Barrett split 30 minutes in the cage and both collected two saves. 
 
The Trojans held a 15-5 shot advantage and a 9-3 edge on penalty corners. 
 
Mount Olive returns to play on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. as it travels to play Lander.