BELMONT, N.C. –
Hannah Davies scored her first goal as a Bobcat off an assist by
Lexi Todd with just over five minutes remaining in the first overtime session to lift No. 4 Lees-McRae to a 1-0 victory over host No. 5 Belmont Abbey to earn a spot in the Conference Carolinas Championship Semifinals.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 1; Belmont Abbey – 0 (OT)
LOCATION: Alumni Field – Belmont, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (5-2-2), Belmont Abbey (3-2-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Lees-McRae nearly broke through early in the first half as Taylor Barrineau had a shot-on-goal in the sixth minute that was ultimately saved.
- The Crusaders responded with their best scoring chance of the first half with a shot that hit crossbar in the 12th minute.
- The Bobcats had one final opportunity by Pali Smith in the 36 minute, but the score remained 0-0 at the halftime whistle.
- Both teams matched each stride-for-stride in the second half, with Belmont Abbey tallying a 6-3 edge in shots, but neither team found a way to break through as the game moved into an overtime session.
- The Bobcats finally broke through on a breakaway down the left side as Todd sent a simple cross to a streaking Davies who buried the shot into the bottom right corner to give the Bobcats the playoff victory.
- Hope Sanborn didn't need to make a save to earn her first career postseason shutout.
FOR THE FOES:
- Lauryn Harding and Caroline Lauer finished with a combined three saves in net for Belmont Abbey.
NOTEWORHTY:
- This is the Bobcats' first postseason victory since the 2017 season in which they earned a spot in the Conference Carolinas championship game.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats have earned a spot in the Conference Carolinas Championship Semifinals and will face No. 1 North Greenville on Friday, April 30 at 11 a.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
