NEWBERRY, S.C. (Nov. 10) – Competing in its second championship game in program history, the No. 5 seeded University of Mount Olive field hockey program fell by a 1-0 margin in a shootout to No. 2 seed Limestone in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Championship on Sunday afternoon at Setzler Field.
With the loss, the Trojans concluded the season with an 11-8 overall record following a stellar run to the league championship game. Mount Olive delivered another remarkable year, reaching double-digit wins for the third straight season while also knocking off the top-seeded Newberry in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Saints captured their third SAC Championship in team history and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament behind a 14-5 record.
In the first quarter, both sides had a shot sail wide of the cage in the opening five-plus minutes. At the 12:50 mark, senior
Annefleur Moerkerken registered a shot on goal, which was defensively saved by Nicola Naude to keep the contest scoreless. Limestone produced a strong close to the opening quarter with a pair of shots and penalty corners. The Trojans delivered a significant offensive push in the second quarter with a trio of shots on goal with a defensive stop and two saves from the goalie. The Saints responded with two penalty corners and had a shot on goal defensively saved by sophomore
Julie Gerla at the 28:06 mark.
The third quarter was a stalemate for both sides, with Limestone recording just one shot as the game remained scoreless. Senior
Amber Dercksen had an early attempt on goal saved at the 46:01 mark before Moerkerken had an opportunity stopped. Both squads battled for possession in the final minutes as the third meeting between UMO and Limestone went to overtime. The Saints produced a strong first overtime period with a 2-0 edge in shots while the Trojans totaled three shots, including two on goal in the second overtime.
In the shootout, Limestone converted its initial two chances while UMO missed two opportunities to trail 2-0. After both teams missed, freshman Nakai Murjaranji scored to cut the deficit to 2-1. On Mount Olive's final attempt, the Limestone keeper delivered a stop to secure the league crown.
Graduate student goalkeeper
Alanna Barrett finished with seven saves on 13 shots faced in 80 minutes of play.
The Saints out-shot the Trojans by a 13-10 margin while holding a 14-8 advantage in penalty corners.
