PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke soccer team scored two first-half goals and limited visiting Belmont Abbey to just five shots on the night, to fuel a 2-0 victory over the Crusaders on Saturday evening in the season opener for both teams at Lumbee River EMC Stadium.
It was the second-straight win in a season-opening contest for the Black & Gold (1-0-0), who improved to 3-1-0 all-time against Belmont Abbey. The Crusaders (0-1-0) logged their only victory of the series against the Braves in the last matchup during the 2017 campaign.
| SCORING SUMMARY |
| 12' |
Junior Rilee Seering used a fast break pass from freshman Bailey Dawson to net the first goal of the night after the goalie tried to beat Seering to the ball. |
| 43' |
Bree Mason booted a ball towards the goal that was blocked, but Alexis Pittman followed the shot with a goal to put the Braves on top 2-0. |
| TOP BRAVES |
+ Both Rilee Seering and Alexis Pittman picked up their first goals of the season. It was just the second career goal for Seering, but both have been of the game-winning variety. Pittman has netted 14 career goals, including nine game-winners.
+ Senior Gina Ryan recorded two saves on the night, both in the second half, on the way to registering her 27th career shutout. She needs just one more clean sheet this season to match the Peach Belt Conference record currently held by former Columbus State netminder Maylyn Parsons (2013-16). |
| NOTABLES |
+ Saturday evening's victory stretched UNCP's home unbeaten streak out to 18-straight games (15-straight victories). The last loss for the Braves in Pembroke came via a 1-0 setback to Limestone in the 2017 season opener. The Black & Gold also have a 2-2 tie with Flagler during that stretch as well.
+ UNCP improved to 13-6-0 in season openers with Saturday's result, and logged a win in their season opener for the second-straight season. This was the second year in a row that UNCP has won their opening contest. UNCP is now 15-4-0 in home openers. |
| UP NEXT |
| The Braves will start a four-game road trip when they travel to Barton on Tuesday. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start at the Barton Outdoor Athletics Complex. |
