GOLDSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 7) – The University of Mount Olive men's soccer program was unable to overcome a two-goal deficit in the first half in a 2-1 loss against Mars Hill in the season-opener at the Bryan Multi-Sports Complex.
With the loss, the Trojans drop to 0-1 this season after being voted ninth in the preseason Conference Carolinas poll. It marked the fourth meeting between the sides dating back to 2017 with the last three matches being decided by a 2-1 margin. Meanwhile, the Lions improve to 2-0 overall after defeating a pair of Conference Carolina opponents to begin the 2024 slate.
In the first half, senior
Axel Engren was forced into an early save in the fourth minute to keep the contest scoreless in a neutral site matchup. Mars Hill scored the opening goal of the contest at the 18:24 mark after Peter Plougmand netted a through ball from Diego Fernandez that tipped off the keeper's gloves, 1-0. Just under two minutes later, Engren secured another fantastic save for the Trojans to keep the contest within a one-goal deficit. In the final minutes of the first half, the Lions increased the lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute after Braxton Robinson scored into the top-left corner with an assist by Plougmand. Mount Olive answered in the 40th minute after being awarded a penalty following a takedown in the box. Sophomore
Babacar Fall took the penalty kick and scored into the bottom-right corner of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Mount Olive found more of an offensive rhythm in the second half as Fall nearly tied the contest at the 63:44 mark after his shot was saved before rolling across the face of the goal. Just seconds later, senior
Greg Boko missed a header just right of the goal off a corner kick. Engren totaled three saves in a 10-minute stretch in the second half to keep UMO within striking distance. The Trojans controlled possession in the final minutes of the contest but ultimately suffered a 2-1 loss.
Engren collected seven saves after facing 14 shots in 90 minutes of action on Saturday.
Mars Hill finished with a 14-8 shot advantage including a 9-4 edge in shots on goal. The Lions also held a 10-4 lead in corner kicks.
Mount Olive returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 11, when it faces Catawba in non-conference action at Amon Field with kick-off set for 7 p.m.
