Trojans shut out Chowan

MURFREESBORO – Sophomore forward Tianna Hill registered two goals in the second half on Tuesday afternoon, as the Trojans earned a 2-0 shutout victory at Chowan in Conference Carolinas play.

With the win, the University of Mount Olive women’s soccer team stretched its winning streak to five and improved to 12-4 this season with a 10-1 mark in conference action. UMO remained tied for first place in the league standings with North Greenville on 30 points, while recording its fifth consecutive shutout. Meanwhile, the Hawks dropped to 4-9-2 overall with a 4-5-2 record in league play.

The Trojans applied offensive pressure from the opening whistle totaling four shots, including one attempt hitting the post at the 15:34 mark. Chowan answered with a shot that sailed high over the net before Mount Olive recorded four more attempts, including one on goal, in the final 12-plus minutes of the half. Both sides went into the break scoreless, as the Trojans held an 8-3 edge in shots.

In the second half, Mount Olive earned a penalty kick following a foul in the box in the 53rd minute, but the Hawk goalkeeper made a diving save to keep the match scoreless. At the 72:43 mark, the Hawks were reduced to 10 players after a straight red card was shown. UMO capitalized on the advantage when Hill found the back of the net off an assist from freshman Olivia Giuliano in the 78th minute. Just 37 seconds later, Hill fired a shot off the crossbar into the net with an assist awarded to junior Makenna Copley to extend the lead to 2-0. The Trojan defense locked down in the second half after not allowing a shot to seal to win on the road.

Senior goalkeeper Nicole Solicito finished with one save on three shots faced in 90 minutes of action.

The Trojans out-shot the Hawks by a 21-3 margin, including an 11-1 edge in shots on goal, while posting a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.

— University of Mount Olive athletics