No. 7 UMO earns shutout win over Lander

MOUNT OLIVE – Meeting for the second time this season, the No. 7 University of Mount Olive field hockey team earned a 2-0 shutout victory against Lander in South Atlantic Conference action Nov. 5 at the Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex.

With the win, the Trojans improved to 12-2 in division play and 12-0 in league play. Mount Olive has now registered 12 straight wins and swept the series versus the Bearcats. Meanwhile, Lander dropped to 7-7 overall and a 5-7 mark in conference action.

The match started off with limited chances as both teams only had three shot opportunities in the initial 23 minutes of the game. Both teams fought hard on both sides of the field to gain the opening goal. Near the end of the first half, a backhanded shot taken by sophomore Morgan Paterson was tipped in by freshman Nikki Bos at the 27:47 mark of the match to put the Trojans ahead 1-0.

During the second half, the Trojans remained relentless as they outshot the Bearcats 6-1 in the third quarter. In the final quarter, UMO caught a fast break as junior Avery Congleton received a through ball from the UMO defense. Dribbling the ball toward the cage, Congleton found Bos, who tipped the ball past the keeper with five minutes left in the match for a 2-0 Mount Olive lead.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alanna Barrett earned the win and collected two saves while playing the full 60 minutes in the cage.

Mount Olive held a 16-8 shot advantage, including an 11-2 lead in shots on goal. The Trojans also posted a 10-3 edge in penalty corners.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics