Trojans shut out Barton

MOUNT OLIVE – Behind three goals in the second half Sept. 28, the University of Mount Olive men’s soccer team posted a 4-0 shutout victory over Barton in Conference Carolinas action at Amon Field.

With the win, the Trojans improved to 7-4 this season and have a 4-2 mark in league play. Mount Olive remains undefeated at home with five straight wins and recorded its third shutout win of the year. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs dropped to 2-6 overall with a 2-3 record in conference action.

UMO pushed into the attacking half of the field early in the match, as senior Roberto Hernandez scored his third goal of the year off an assist from fellow seniors Will Doyen and Nathan Esslinger in the eighth minute to take a 1-0 lead. Following the score, Barton shifted the pressure on the Trojan defense and totaled six shots and three corner kicks over a 15-minute stretch. Mount Olive would be held to one shot the remainder of the half, but Barton was unable to capitalize on two late chances that sailed high over the goal.

In the second half, junior Kevin Avila registered his second goal of the season after beating the keeper at the near post off an assist by senior Pedro Franca to give UMO a 2-0 advantage at the 57:51 mark. The Trojans added to the lead in the 76th minute on a goal from sophomore Guilherme Semola into the top left-corner after receiving the pass from senior Ethan Willie for a 3-0 lead. Nearly four minutes later, junior Walter Gomez fired a free-kick into the top-left corner of the net to increase the advantage to 4-0 at the 78:57-mark.

Sophomore goalkeeper Axel Engren secured the shutout win with four saves on 10 shots attempted. Mount Olive out-shot Barton by an 11-10 margin, including a 7-4 lead in shots on goal, while the Bulldogs posted a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.