MOC sports -- Brennan notches game-winning goal in OT

Published in Sports on September 9, 2005 2:25 PM

• Print
• Email

MOUNT OLIVE -- Lyndsay Brennan scored the game-winning goal five minutes into overtime to lift Mount Olive to a 2-1 victory over Chowan in non-conference women's soccer Thursday at Trojan Field. Playing at home for the first time this season, the Trojans outshot Chowan 25-5 to extend their home winning streak to 11.

Mount Olive (3-2-0) had three corner kicks in the first four minutes of the match and 11 in the first half, but could not get the ball in the back of the net as the two teams were scoreless going into halftime. The Trojans had three shots in a less than a minute midway through the first half, but two shots were off-target and Chowan goalkeeper Emily Warthan made a save on the third shot. Warthan also made a diving save on Portia Taylor's shot in the 35th minute to keep the match scoreless.

Chowan (1-3-0) had a pair of attacking opportunities in the first five minutes of the second half, but Trojan sweeper Kristine Gallagher stopped one attack and goalkeeper Ali O'Steen got to a loose ball before the Chowan forwards could catch up.

Mount Olive broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Jessica Smoot crossed a ball from the right corner into the box to Brittney Robich, who flicked the ball to Gina Dos Santos for a goal on the far post. The goal was the eighth of the season for Dos Santos.

Chowan answered less than five minutes later when Katelyn Mahoney served to Stephanie Montague, who scored from the top left of the box to tie the match 1-1. The shot was only Chowan's third of the match.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the final minutes, but both goalkeepers came up with clutch saves. Kate Painter had an open shot for the Trojans in the 80th minute after a service from Smoot, but Warthan made the save for Chowan. The Braves had a chance for a go-ahead goal in the 81st minute when Lisa Knieriemen beat the defense for a one-on-one, but O'Steen made a diving stop to send the ball out of bounds.

The Trojans thought they had a potential game-winner when Gallagher's shot from 30 yards out went off of Warthan's fingertips, but she came down with the ball in front of the line.

In the overtime, the Trojans had three shots in the first three minutes, but Warthan recorded two more saves. She finished with 13 saves for the match, while O'Steen finished with three saves for Mount Olive.

Mount Olive broke the tie at the 95:09 mark when Painter dribbled down the left side and crossed to the freshman Brennan, who put home her first collegiate goal from the top right of the box for the game-winner.

Mount Olive returns to action Saturday as the Trojans travel to Due West, S.C., to face Erskine in Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference action. Match time is 5 p.m.

Mount Olive men

beat USC Aiken

Mount Olive (4-0-0) scored one goal in each half en route to 2-0 win over USC Aiken (1-4-1) in men's non-conference soccer action on Thursday night in Aiken, S.C. The loss extended the Pacers scoreless streak to three games and snapped a four-game winning streak against the Trojans. USCA is 6-2-1 now all-time versus Mount Olive.

Wood Stillery (2) came off the bench in the first stanza to head in the first goal of the game in the 33rd minute. Chris Varela served up a cross from the right wing for Stillery to punch home. USCA had a chance to score first, but Eugene Phillips' penalty kick in the opening 15 minutes was blocked by goalkeeper Chris Roush.

In a hard fought second half, the Pacers had some scoring opportunities but were unable to cash them in. Reid Clewis (4) caught Marcos Rodriguez out of the net playing a ball in the 82nd minute and lofted the insurance marker over his head for the goal. Clewis finished with five of the team's 15 shots. The Pacers managed just seven shots with Svetlin Penchev attempting two of them.

Harold Tate made three saves, allowing one goal, in 45 minutes of action while Rodriguez stopped six shots giving up the one goal in 45 minutes in net.

Roush notched the shutout for Mount Olive recording two saves.

Mount Olive continues its four-game road swing playing at Erskine on Saturday at 7 p.m. in their Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference opener.

MOC volleyball

team beats Coker

The Coker volleyball team came out strong, but not strong enough, losing to the Mount Olive Trojans Thursday night in women's collegiate volleyball. The Trojans took the first two sets 30-25 and 30-26, but Coker fought hard and won the third set 34-32. In the fourth set the Trojans came back and defeated the Cobras 30-19.

Leading the way for the Trojans was Heidi Busch who had 20 kills and 6 blocks, while Anna Luft had 16 kills and 9 aces. Also making an impact for Mount Olive was Sam Mitchell with 11 kills and 7 digs.

This match marked the first conference game for both squads, giving Coker a 1-8 overall record and 0-1 in the CVAC, while Mount Olive moves to 3-2 overall, with a 1-0 record in the CVAC. Mount Olive's next match is Thursday vs. CVAC opponent St. Andrews College at 6:30 p.m.