Mount Olive cruises past Lees-McRae

BANNER ELK – In a snowy showdown in the first Conference Carolinas game of the season, the University of Mount Olive women’s lacrosse team featured 11 different goal scorers in a 23-4 rout at Lees-McRae on March 14.

With the win, the Trojans improved to 2-4 overall with a 1-0 mark in league play. UMO extended its winning streak to 26 straight conference wins and officially begins its title defense after consecutive league titles. Meanwhile, the Bobcats fell to 1-3 this season with an 0-1 record in conference action.

Mount Olive exploded in the first quarter by scoring 10 goals, including six in the opening five-plus minutes of the contest. Graduate student Ali Davis scored the initial goal of the game at the 14:02 mark before an additional five goals found the back of the net, including a pair by senior Bria Hamilton for a 6-0 Trojan lead. The Trojans closed the quarter with four straight goals from four players while Davis collected her second of the game and led 10-0.

At the 13:58 mark of the second quarter, the Bobcats scored a goal to make the score 10-1. With complete control of the offense, the Trojans were able to put four unanswered past the Lees-McRae keeper. With goals from graduate students Morgan Paige, Meagan Maxwell, Zoe Dougherty and senior Peyton Youngblood, UMO extended its lead to 14-1. Closing the first half of the game, Lees-McRae scored their second goal of the match in the final two minutes to make the score 14-2.

At the start of the second half, Mount Olive scored three straight unassisted goals by Paige, Hamilton and Davis and led 17-2. With a goal by the Bobcats, the Trojans were still up by a 14-point margin, 17-3. Scoring her second of the game, sophomore Lena DeFilippo found the back of the net off a pass by teammate Rileigh White to make the score 18-3. Less than two minutes later, White scored her first goal of the game, closing the third quarter with a 19-3 UMO lead.

Scoring their last goal of the game, Lees-McRae scored on a man-up opportunity to make the score 19-4. The Trojans prevailed through the last quarter of the match and scored two more goals by Hamilton and DeFilippo to make the score 21-4. With just over six minutes remaining, Hamilton scored her career-high fifth goal of the game. Davis finished the contest with the final goal of the match. Unbothered by the snowfall, the Trojans were able to seal their 23-4 victory.

Hamilton finished the game with five goals, three draw controls and one assist. Davis scored four goals while adding three draw controls, two caused turnovers and two groundballs.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics