Trojan men’s soccer team fights to draw on Senior Day

MOUNT OLIVE – Facing the regular-season champions in the league on Oct. 15, the University of Mount Olive men’s soccer team played a 2-2 draw on Senior Day in Conference Carolinas action at Amon Field.

With the tie, the Trojans hold a 9-5-1 record with a 6-3-1 mark in conference play. Mount Olive remained second in the league standings, while only four points separate five teams between second and sixth place. Meanwhile, the Valkyries sit at 10-1-3 overall with a 8-0-2 record in league action. Converse, a second-year program, secured the regular season title last week.

In the first half, both teams were evenly matched before a mistouch on the backline allowed senior Trevor Berk to take advantage and bury the ball into the net in the 14th minute for a 1-0 Mount Olive lead. The Trojans looked to add to the lead as senior Will Doyen had an attempt saved a close range at the 16:04 mark. Mount Olive was able to produce several chances in the first half while holding the Valkyries to just one shot.

Converse shifted the contest to its attacking side of the pitch in the second half and managed three corner kicks and two shots in the opening seven-plus minutes. At the 64:05 mark, the Trojans were awarded a penalty following a foul in the box. Senior Roberto Hernandez stepped up and delivered a goal to extend the lead to 2-0.

The Valkyries responded just under three minutes later and got on the board on a goal from sophomore Hayden Gensler off an assist by freshman Kyle Lewis to cut the lead to 2-1. In the 70th minute, Converse tied the match at 2-2 on an own goal by UMO after a cross into the box deflected off a defender. The Valkyries continued the pressure with seven more shots in the final 15 minutes, but the Mount Olive defense held strong.

Sophomore goalkeeper Axel Engine finished with two saves on 12 attempts.

Converse out-shot Mount Olive by a 12-10 margin, including a 5-2 edge in corner kicks, while the Trojans held a 6-4 lead in shots on goal.