PEMBROKE, NC (Sept. 21) – Despite a team-leading fourth goal of the season by senior
Tianna Hill, the University of Mount Olive women's soccer team suffered a 2-1 loss on the road against defending league champions UNC Pembroke on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas play.
With the loss, the Trojans drop their first contest of the season and fall to 2-1-1 this season behind a 1-1 record in conference action. The Braves have claimed victory in three of the last four meetings in the series with one matchup ending in a 3-3 draw last year. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke improves to 2-2-1 overall with a 2-0-1 mark in league play.
Mount Olive registered the opening shot of the contest before UNCP pressured the net with four shots, including one opportunity that hit the crossbar off a free kick. The Trojans claimed a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute as Hill fired a goal into the top-right corner of the goal off an assist by senior
Olivia Womack. Senior goalkeeper
Samantha Gildner collected three saves in the span of nine-plus minutes of the first half to keep UMO ahead. The Braves tied the contest at 1-1 off a corner kick as Shakira Kafero Roberts volleyed a shot into the net at the 36:15 mark. Just under two minutes later, UNCP stretched the advantage to 2-1 as Maya McDonald beat the keeper at the far post off a pass from Mercy Bell.
In the second half, the Trojans looked for an equalizer as sophomore
Josephine Palmer peppered a shot on goal at the 49:08 mark, which was stopped by the goalie. In the 71st minute, sophomore
Yaneli Sanchez nearly tied the contest after her shot from the top of the box hit the crossbar. The Braves managed to hold onto the win and finished with a 13-8 shot advantage in the second half.
Gildner matched a career-high with 12 saves on 28 shots faced while playing all 90 minutes on Saturday.
The Braves finished with a 28-13 shot advantage in the contest and held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
Mount Olive returns to Conference Carolinas action on Tuesday, Sept. 24, to face Chowan at Amon Field with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
