BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. – Lees-McRae and Belmont Abbey battled for 110 minutes plus penalty kicks this afternoon in the Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Semifinals at Bryan Park. The Crusaders advanced to the championship match after a 4-2 victory in penalty kicks.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 0; Belmont Abbey – 0 (Belmont Abbey Advances, 4-2 PKs)
LOCATION: Bryan Park -- Browns Summit, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (10-2-4/9-0-3), Belmont Abbey (12-3-4/7-2-3)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- In their third matchup of the season, the Bobcats and Crusaders went back and forth with possession in the first half as the two sides combined for three shots in the half. Belmont Abbey had two shots on goal with Chiara Coppin collecting both saves.
- Lees-McRae found energy in the final stages of the second half with shots from Lexi Hanson and Haley Lowman in the final 12 minutes of regulation. The two sides headed to extra time deadlocked at 0-0.
- In the first 10 minute period, Kylie Gutierrez had the lone shot for either squad but sailed high of the goal.
- Belmont Abbey's Haley Long and Mia Muckenthaler recorded two shots on goal in the second 10 minute overtime, but C. Coppin recorded both stops and sent the teams to penalty kicks.
- The Bobcats missed on their first shots of the penalty kicks and Belmont Abbey held the 3-0 advantage. C. Coppin buried her penalty shot and stopped the ensuing kick from the Crusaders. Brooke Allen made things interesting as Lees-McRae trailed, 3-2, but Belmont Abbey scored the final kick to advance, 4-2.
- Chiara Coppin, the 2024 Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year, earned her 12th clean sheet of the season with a season-high five saves in goal.
FOR THE CRUSADERS:
- Belmont Abbey converted on four out of five penalty kicks and will advance to the championship match on Sunday afternoon against Francis Marion.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae women's soccer concluded its 2024 season at 10-2-4 overall and 9-0-3 in Conference Carolinas play. The Bobcats earned the Conference Carolinas Northwest Division Title and ranked in Division II in goals-against average at 0.267.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
