FLORENCE, S.C. – Alexis Pittman's goal in the 12
th-minute of action set the tone early for the UNC Pembroke soccer team as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over top-seeded Mount Olive to claim the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship on Saturday evening at the Florence Soccer Complex.
The victory for the Braves (15-4-0, 11-1-0 CC) marked the second conference tournament championship, but the first since competing in Conference Carolinas. The result snapped a 21-game unbeaten streak for Mount Olive (15-1-2, 11-0-1 CC) and marked the most lopsided loss for the Trojans since a 3-0 setback at Limestone on Oct. 30, 2018.
| SCORING SUMMARY |
| 12' |
Ashleigh Harris collected a loose ball off of a corner kick, dribbled into the box and dished a pass across the goal mouth to the waiting right foot of Alexis Pittman. |
| 35' |
Ashleigh Harris dribbled through a pair of defenders and found Rilee Seering in space inside the penalty area. |
| 77' |
Rilee Seering hauled in a throw-in, turned and drove before finding Alexis Pittman who chipped a ball over the head of a leaping Taylor Lewis. |
| TOP BRAVES |
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+ Senior Alexis Pittman registered two goals on four shots. The two goals for Pittman marked the first multi-goal game this season.
+ Rilee Seering logged one goal as well as one assist. Seering attempted a team-high eight shots, five of which were on target.
+ Newcomer Ashleigh Harris tallied two assists, which is her second multi-assist game this season.
+ Freshman Chiara Coppin recorded three saves on the way to her ninth shutout this season.
+ Alexis Pittman, Rilee Seering, Maya Grimes, Kennedy Rucker and Brianna De Coteau were all named to the Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team. Pittman was also named as the Tournament MVP.
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| NOTABLES |
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+ Sunday's win gives the UNCP soccer program its second conference tournament championship, but the first since the Braves posted a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Columbus State in the 2017 Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game.
+ The Braves improved to 13-19-0 all-time in conference tournament play, and are now 2-1 in conference tournament championship games.
+ UNCP will make its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament beginning on Thursday. The Braves have previous appearances in the 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2019 NCAA postseason. The 2021 NCAA Tournament appearance will mark the program's first automatic bid into the event.
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| UP NEXT |
| The Braves will now learn of their postseason fate when they gather on Monday for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show which is set to air on NCAA.com beginning at 6 p.m. |
