MOUNT OLIVE (Oct. 27) – Competing in a consecutive double-overtime contest, the Trojans fell by a 1-0 margin against Lander on Sunday afternoon in South Atlantic Conference (SAC) play at Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive field hockey program falls to 8-6 overall behind a 7-5 record in league play. The Bearcats have won the last two meetings in the series with the two sides meeting for the first time since the 2023 semifinals of the league tournament. Meanwhile, Lander improves to 9-5 this season with an 8-3 record in conference action.
With limited action in the first quarter, the Bearcats registered the first shot on goal at the 6:10 mark before the Trojans answered with two straight shots, which were both stopped by the goalie. Mount Olive delivered the best scoring opportunity in the second quarter with sophomore
Rosie Migounoff firing a shot on goal in the final minutes, which was once again saved by the Lander goalkeeper. At the break, Mount Olive held a 3-2 lead in shots while both sides recorded a penalty corner.
In the third quarter, the Bearcats recorded a shot on goal in the opening minutes before UMO saw a pair of shots in front of the cage stopped to keep the contest scoreless. Lander out-shot Mount Olive 3-2 in the final quarter while also producing four penalty corners, but the game was forced into overtime.
After neither team attempted a shot in the first overtime, both teams recorded shots in the initial minutes of double-overtime. Freshman goalkeeper
Lola Muñoz de Verger totaled four saves in the span of 41 seconds before the Bearcats were awarded a penalty corner. Following the insert, Leira Van Tilburg captured a loose pass and delivered a backhand shot into the cage for the game-winner at the 76:25 mark.
Muñoz de Verger finished with a season-high seven saves while facing 12 shots in 76-plus minutes of action.
The Bearcats held a 12-10 advantage in shots while boasting a 9-5 edge in penalty corners.
Mount Olive returns to play on Wednesday, Oct. 30, to face Belmont Abbey on the road in conference action at 6 p.m.
