BANNER ELK, N.C. – No. 5 Belmont Abbey scored with just over five minutes remaining in the first overtime session to escape with a 1-0 victory over the host No. 4 Lees-McRae women's soccer team in the Conference Carolinas Quarterfinals this afternoon. With the win, the Crusaders have moved on to the semifinal round and will play No. 1 Mount Olive on Friday, Nov. 12.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Belmont Abbey – 1; Lees-McRae – 0 (OT)
LOCATION: Tate Field – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Belmont Abbey (9-8-1), Lees-McRae (11-4-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Belmont Abbey had multiple scoring chances early in the first half, with one shot hitting the crossbar and the other needing to be saved by Mallory Roughton.
- Lees-McRae nearly had a scoring opportunity in the 42nd minute as a shot by Ivy Cagno just missed frame to hold the score at 0-0 after 45 minutes of action.
- Pali Smith nearly broke the deadlock in the 61st minute on a shot in the top-right corner, but a timely save by the Crusader goalkeeper held the score at 0-0.
- Belmont Abbey held a 7-4 edge in shots in the second half, but failed to break through as the game shifted to overtime.
- The Bobcats opened the first overtime session with a shot by Rachel Crum that was ultimately saved in the 92nd minute.
- The Crusaders finally broke through in the 94th minute with a golden goal to clinch the quarterfinal win.
- Roughton and Haile Desmarais combined to make three saves in net for the Bobcats.
FOR THE FOES:
- KB Briones scored for the Crusaders, while Lauryn Harding finished with five saves in net.
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