Mount Olive men’s soccer team sinks Erskine, 6-1

MOUNT OLIVE – Behind four goals in the second half, the Trojans cruised to a 6-1 victory over Erskine on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas play at Amon Field.

With the win, the University of Mount Olive improves to 5-3 overall with a 2-1 mark in conference action. UMO holds an undefeated record at home this season and has scored a combined 15 goals in the last three contests. Meanwhile, the Flying Fleet fall to 0-6 this year behind an 0-3 record in league play.

The Trojans wasted little time taking the lead in the 13th minute on a goal from sophomore forward Guilherme Semola, his third of the season, on an assist by teammate Rafael Obraczka, 1-0. Mount Olive nearly extended the lead in the 39th minute after a shot hit the woodwork before the Erskine defense cleared the goal-scoring opportunity. At the 40:09-mark, freshman Joao Barboza Filho netted his first goal of the year off an assist from senior midfielder Pedro Franca, 2-0. UMO would head into the break with a two-goal advantage and a 13-3 shot advantage.

In the second half, the Flying Fleet cut the deficit to 2-1 after freshman Benjamin Martinez beat the goalie one-on-one in the 49th minute. The Trojans quickly restored their advantage in just under three minutes on a rebound goal from junior midfielder Walter Gomez, his third of the season, at the 51:29-mark, 3-1. UMO stretched the lead to 4-1 in the 55th minute, as senior midfielder Trevor Berk delivered a goal off an assist from Semola. Mount Olive would add an insurance goal at the 76:41-mark with Obraczka finding the back of the net on an assist registered by Barboza Filho, 5-1. Junior forward Gabe Highfield tallied the final goal of the match after beating the keeper one-on-one to stretch the advantage to 6-1 in the 81st minute.

Sophomore goalkeeper Axel Engren registered the win after collecting three saves on seven shots faced in 76-plus minutes of play. Teammate Ryan Schmitt entered the contest for the final 13:19 of the match.

UMO held a 23-7 shot advantage, including an 18-4 edge in shots on goal, while also holding a 4-2 lead in corner kicks.

The Trojans return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 21, when they travel to face Francis Marion in conference action, starting at 7 p.m.