Mount Olive, Wingate battle to 1-1 draw in women’s soccer

MOUNT OLIVE – In a Southeast Regional matchup, the University of Mount Olive women’s soccer program played to a 1-1 draw versus Wingate on Wednesday evening in non-conference action at Amon Field.

With the tie, the Trojans move to 0-1-2 after playing three opponents from the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) to start the season, including a pair voted in the top three in the preseason league rankings. Wingate had won the previous five meetings dating back to 2009 before the tie this evening. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs sit at 1-0-1 overall after playing two Conference Carolinas programs on the road.

Mount Olive quickly established a 1-0 lead in the second minute of the contest after sophomore Addison Dangler delivered a through ball to junior Tianna Hill, who buried the opening goal into the top-left corner of the net. The Bulldogs looked for an equalizer in the 10th minute, but senior goalkeeper Samantha Gildner collected back-to-back stops. Following limited action for 20 minutes, Wingate was awarded a penalty after contact in the box. Sascha Larsen stepped to the spot and laced a perfect shot into the bottom-right corner to tie the game at the 30:35 mark, 1-1.

In the second half, the Bulldogs immediately placed pressure on the offensive side of the pitch with two corners and four shots, including a pair on goal, in the initial 15 minutes. The Trojans managed two opportunities midway through the second half, but the game remained tied. Gildner collected two saves in the closing minutes of the contest, as UMO played to a consecutive draw at home.

Gildner earned her first career start for the Trojans and tallied six saves on 11 shots faced on Wednesday.

Wingate held an 8-4 edge in shots on goal while both teams totaled six corner kicks.

Mount Olive is idle for over a week before returning to Amon Field on Saturday, Sept. 16 to face rival Barton to start Conference Carolinas play at 4 p.m.