Mount Olive plays Lenoir-Rhyne to 0-0 draw in women’s soccer action

With the draw, the University of Mount Olive women’s soccer team moves to 0-1-1 after facing a pair of South Atlantic Conference (SAC) opponents to start the season. It marked the first meeting between the sides since 2017. Meanwhile, Lenoir-Rhyne begins the 2023 campaign with back-to-back ties after making the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year.

Both sides registered a shot on goal on the opening 10-plus minutes of the contest, including a shot laced into the left-side of the net by freshman Tanya Granholm. The Bears nearly found the back of the net at the 20:32-mark of the first half before Solicito made an outstanding diving save to keep the contest scoreless. The Trojans managed two corner kicks later in the final 10 minutes but were unable to capitalize. Lenoir-Rhyne saw a pair of shots sail wide of the goal in the 43rd minute, as the teams went into the break tied, 0-0.

The Bears began the second half with seven substitutions to the lineup, but immediately pressured the net with five shots, including an opportunity that hit the left post. The Trojans launched an offensive effort at the 58:49-mark as junior Tianna Hill ripped a shot on goal, which was stopped. Mount Olive tallied three more shots over a three-minute stretch before LR controlled possession down the final stretch of the match. In the 80th minute, Solicito made another stellar diving stop after the volley by the Bears nearly found its mark. Just three minutes later, the Trojan defense registered a team save as sophomore Caroline Hales blocked the shot in front of the goal before Solicito covered up the loose ball.

The Bears finished with a significant 21-6 shot advantage and held a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.