MOUNT OLIVE (Sept. 18) – Behind two goals in the second half, the Trojans completed a comeback victory over Shaw by a 2-1 margin Wednesday evening in non-conference play at Amon Field.
With the win, the University of Mount Olive men's soccer program earns its first win of the season and improves to 1-3 this season. The Trojans remain undefeated in the series dating back to 2017 with six victories over Shaw. Meanwhile, the Bears drop to 1-4 overall with a 0-3 mark against Conference Carolinas opponents.
Mount Olive controlled possession for the majority of the first half and logged five shots in the opening 30 minutes, including an attempt by sophomore
Manny Duran which hit the crossbar. Shaw managed to break the deadlock in the 34th minute with a goal by Safari Kashindi off a cross into the box from Zamal Mallebrache, 1-0. The Trojans increased offensive pressure in the closing minutes of the first half after recording four shots on goal. UMO went into the break trailing by a goal despite boasting an 11-3 shot advantage.
In the second half, Mount Olive tied the contest at the 60:17 mark following a defensive error by the Shaw goalie. Freshman
Nicolas Arze-Ynsua stole the ball near the goal line and crossed it to the far post with sophomore
Babacar Fall delivering the goal, his second of the season. The Trojan offense came alive after tying the contest as the team registered nine shots and three corner kicks in 10 minutes. In the 71st minute, sophomore
Alagie Njie crossed a ball from the right side of the box and found senior
Christen Lugo-Elibox for the eventual game-winner, 2-1.
Senior
Axel Engren finished with one save on six shots faced while playing all 90 minutes.
The Trojans finished with a 31-6 shot advantage while also boasting a 9-2 lead in corner kicks.
Mount Olive is idle for a week before returning to Conference Carolinas play on Wednesday, Sept. 25, against the defending champions Chowan at Amon Field with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
