UMO women’s soccer shuts out Belmont Abbey

BELMONT  – Sophomore forward Delia Allwood and junior midfielder Makenna Copley each scored goals in the match as Mount Olive earned a 2-0 shutout win at Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday evening.

With the win, the University of Mount Olive women’s soccer team improved to 10-4 this season behind an 8-1 record in league play. The Trojans now have posted back-to-back seasons with double-digit victories and secured sole possession of second place in the conference standings. Meanwhile, the Crusaders dropped to 5-6-2 overall with a 4-3-1 mark in league play.

In the first half, both sides registered shots in the initial six-plus minutes before senior goalkeeper Nicole Solicito collected her first save at the 8:41-mark. In the 26th minute, freshman Addison Dangler played a through ball that split the defenders before Allwood beat the goalkeeper one-on-one to give UMO a 1-0 lead. The Trojans would see a pair of shots saved in the closing minutes of the half and took a one-goal lead into the break.

Both sides opened the second half with two shots in the opening 15 minutes before Dangler nearly added to the advantage after hitting the right post in the 68th minute. Following a corner kick, the ball fell directly to Copley, who buried it into the net to stretch the lead at the 73:01-mark to 2-0. UMO managed five more shots on goal over the final 20-plus minutes while holding Belmont Abbey to just three shots in both halves.

Solicito claimed the shutout win after recording three saves on six shots attempted in 90 minutes of play. She ranks among the top-five in the conference with a 1.10 goals-against average and four shutouts this season.

UMO finished the match with a 22-6 shot advantage, including an 11-3 lead in shots on goal, while both teams tied with five corner kicks.