Belmont, NC – Southern Wesleyan fell in a strong battle against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders in a 2-1 final on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors took seven shots with four being on target in the loss to the Crusaders. Southern Wesleyan's lone goal of the game came off the foot of freshman Breena Duffy. Emily Lorenzo had the assist in the game. Ester Carabano played all ninety minutes in the goal and had five saves.
Game Vitals
Final: Belmont Abbey 2, Southern Wesleyan 1
Records: Southern Wesleyan (4-6-1 / CC 2-4-1) Belmont Abbey (6-2-3 / CC 4-1-3)
How It Happened
Belmont Abbey was first on the board as a corner kick taken by Haley Long found Caroline Roche who scored to give the Crusaders the early advantage. Roche went on the attack, but this time Ester Carabano was able to collect the attack to prevent the Crusaders from extending on their lead. The Warriors answered a couple minutes later as Emily Lorenzo collected the cross off the corner by Ashley Caballero. Lorenzo's shot ricochetted off the cross bar directly to Breena Duffy who tapped it into the goal to tie the game up. Just over nine minutes into the first half, Caballero looked for the net, but Ryleigh Dougherty knocked the ball away to prevent Southern Wesleyan from taking the lead. Carmen Jones looked to put Belmont Abbey back on top, but her shot went off the post. With just over ten minutes left in the first half, Jessie Parrott passed the ball over to Lucia Fernandez who took a shot on the goal, but Ryleigh Dougherty was there to collect her shot.
Caroline Roche kicked off the second half with several shots on the net, but each of her attacks sailed over the top of the goal. The Warriors answered as Madison Stanley knocked the ball away as the Crusaders tried to clear the ball. Ashley Caballero collected the ball and sent it toward the net, but Ryleigh Dougherty dove to the side and got a couple of fingers on the ball to prevent Caballero's attack from finding the net. Katherine Jaques drilled the ball to the net, but it ricochetted off the post to keep the Crusaders from taking the lead. Belmont Abbey continued to attack the net as Jaques put up a couple more shots, but Ester Carabano knocked each attack away from the net. The Crusaders' attacks paid off in the end as Katherine Jaques scored to give the Crusaders a 2-1 goal victory over the Warriors.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will return to Childs Field on October 6 as they host the Young Harris Mountain Lions. On October 10, the Warriors will host the King Tornado at 1pm. The Warriors will then take on the Erskine Flying Fleet on October 14.
