Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the University of Mount Olive Trojans on Friday afternoon in a 23-3 final score.
The Warriors totaled 13 shots with eight being on goal. Karla Gordon, Lauryn Esposito, and Jocelyn Cosgrove all had two shots on goal. Each of the three scored goals for the Warriors. Yael Echeverria had two assists.
Southern Wesleyan won 10 draw controls with Fianna Steves leading the team with three. Lauryn Esposito, Jocelyn Cosgrove and Yael Echeverria each had two draw controls. The Warriors caused 13 turnovers with Abagail Kovalcik leading the team with three. Caroline Lark led the team with six ground balls with Jocelyn Cosgrove following her with four. Lark played all sixty minutes in goal and recorded seven saves.
Game Vitals
Final: Mount Olive 23, Southern Wesleyan 3
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-7 / CC 1-5) Mount Olive (9-4 / CC 6-0)
How It Happened
The University of Mount Olive Trojans attacked quickly as back-to-back goals by Meagan Maxwell and Peyton Youngblood put them ahead 2-0. Southern Wesleyan countered as Lauryn Esposito took a shot on the goal, but Claire Hagen saved the attack. Ali Davis collected a pass from Maxwell to score the third goal for the Trojans. Mount Olive pushed further ahead, taking an 8-0 lead before Southern Wesleyan challenged back. Esposito took a shot, but it went wide. The Warriors maintained the attack as Yael Echeverria passed the ball over to Jocelyn Cosgrove. Cosgrove put the ball in the back of the cage to put the Warriors down 8-1. Meagan Maxwell scored the last goal of the quarter for the Trojans.
The Trojans maintained the offensive in the second quarter as Margot Coomes scored. Mount Olive would not relent, but Caroline Lark stood strong in the cage. However, the Trojans attacks paid off as Rileigh White, Ali Davis and Logan Hibbard all scored to force a running clock. Mount Olive would not relent as they led 17-1 at halftime.
Mount Olive kicked off the third quarter with a goal by Alex Goodale. Southern Wesleyan challenged as Mack Moreau sent the ball toward the cage, but her shot went wide. Yael Echeveria and Moreau continued to pepper the cage with attacks, but Jane Hobbs saved the attacks from paying off. The Trojans countered with attacks of their own with Hannah Legge's attack paying off to put Mount Olive on top 19-1. A foul in the eight meter allowed Lauryn Esposito to score the second goal of the game for the Warriors.
Southern Wesleyan attacked the cage again as Lauryn Esposito took a shot, but her shot could not find the cage. Yael Echeverria caused a turnover and passed the ball down to Karla Gordon. Gordon put the ball under the goal keeper and into the cage to put the Warriors down 21-3. Gordon and Jocelyn Cosgrove each took shots on the goal, but Anna James saved their attacks to prevent the Warriors from cutting further into the Trojans lead. The Trojans scored a last second goal by Bria Hamilton to win the game in a 23-3 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on April 12 as they host the Converse Valkyries for senior night. The Warriors will then travel to Due West, SC to take on the Erskine Flying Fleet. They will remain on the road on April 18 as they travel to Hartsville, SC to take on the Coker Cobras. The Warriors will wrap up the regular season on April 21 as they travel to Banner Elk, NC to take on the Lees-McRae Bobcats.
