Trojan women steamroll Bulldogs; men endure 3-1 defeat

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on October 26, 2011 1:48 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Tia Rose broke open a tight match with two goals in a span of less than two minutes midway through the second half as Mount Olive clinched the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas East Division title and its highest-ever conference tournament seed with a 3-0 victory over archrival Barton on Tuesday evening.

The Trojans (10-3-2 overall, 8-2-1 CC) secured the No. 2 seed in the season-ending conference tournament and will entertain a first-round opponent on Monday.

Lindsey Stanley, who ranks second in the nation in goals and points, scored in the 10th minute for Mount Olive. Carlee Bock served the ball from just inside midfield to Stanley, who got past the Bulldog defense.

The lead remained 1-0 until Becky Sanzsole found Rose all alone in the box. Rose settled and scored inside the right post from 10 yards out to extend the Trojans' lead to 2-0 in the 66th minute.

A Barton miscue led to another quick goal by Rose. The Bulldogs' goal kick went right to Rose just above the top of the box. Rose dribbled and gave the Trojans an additional insurance goal in the 68th minute.

MOC recorded its fifth shutout of the season.

Men's soccer

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive sophomore Rob Gray turned in several spectacular saves between the pipes Tuesday night against rival Barton. But the Bulldogs spoiled the effort by rallying for a 3-1 Conference Carolinas men's soccer victory at Amon Field.

Midway through the opening half, Gray smothered Erik Pajunks' shot in the box, then when Jonathan Rambecki tried to drill home the rebound, Gray made a sprawling stop to end the threat.

The teams dueled to a scoreless draw at intermission.

Things changed after halftime.

The Trojans (6-11-0 overall, 4-6-0 CC) struck first in the 49th minute when senior Maurilo Pelegrino accepted a pass in the box from Alex Rodriguez, turned away a Bulldog defender, then beat the Bulldog goalkeeper for his fifth marker of the season and second in three matches.

It was Rodriguez's fifth assist of the season.

The lead did not last long.

In the 56th minute, Barton's Richard Worthy broke free after getting a pass from Pajunk -- the nation's leader in assists and points. Five minutes later, Pajunk struck again, this time on a corner kick. Pajunk's kick found teammate Archer Bain by the far corner post. Bain outlept several players to head the ball into the net for the go-ahead goal.

Four minutes later, Barton added an insurance goal on an unassisted breakaway by Worthy.

Volleyball

CHARLOTTE -- Mount Olive kept the match alive with a third-set win, but eventually fell to Queens University-Charlotte 25-23, 25-16, 27-29, 25-22 in a Conference Carolinas women's match Tuesday evening.

Sophomore setter Charnel Austin became the first Trojan player in six years to record a "40-20" match, finishing with 40 assists and 21 digs.

Carly White led three Trojans in double figures with a match-high 15 kills. Erika Conner finished with 11 kills and Sarah Robertson added 10 kills. Defensively, Lauren Lee recorded 17 digs and Nicole Sparks added 11 digs. Sparks and Conner served two aces apiece.

MOC (13-13 overall, 6-8 CC) owned a 47-45 edge in team kills, but committed 42 attack errors. Queens recorded 14.5 team blocks.

The Trojans conclude regular-season play at home Friday and Saturday against league newcomers King (Tenn.) and North Greenville (S.C.), respectively.