MURFREESBORO, N.C. (Oct. 22) – In a highly competitive match in the east division, the University of Mount Olive men's soccer program battled to a 1-1 tie at Chowan in Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday afternoon.
With the draw, the Trojans stand at 3-4-4 overall behind a 2-2-4 mark in conference action. The season series ends with a pair of ties after the sides played to a 3-3 draw in Mount Olive in late September. Meanwhile, the Hawks move to 6-4-3 this season with a 5-2-2 record in league play.
UMO opened with two shots in the initial four minutes of the first half before Chowan countered with two attempts and a corner kick. Senior goalkeeper
Axel Engren collected the first stop at the 23:34 mark to keep the match scoreless. The Trojans scored the opening goal after a deep throw into the box fell to the foot of freshman
Nicolas Arze-Ynsua, who netted his first collegiate goal in the 39th minute.
The Hawks controlled possession early in the second half after recording two shots and a pair of corner kicks. Chowan continued to pressure the net with five shots, including one on goal through the midway point of the half. In the 79th minute, the Hawks were awarded a penalty kick following a handball in the box. Junior Smith stepped up and delivered a left-footed strike into the goal to knot the match at 1-1. Despite several opportunities by both sides in the final minutes, the divisional contest finished in a draw.
Engren totaled three saves on 17 shots faced while playing all 90 minutes between the posts.
Chowan finished with a 17-10 shot advantage in the contest while boasting a 9-2 edge in corner kicks.
The Trojans continue Conference Carolinas action on Friday, Oct. 25, when they face Lees-McRae at Amon Field, starting at 1:30 p.m.
