MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Converse (0-3, 0-1 CC) Soccer team dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime decision to Mount Olive (2-1, 1-0 CC) on Saturday evening at Amon Field. After Hallie Lycans put the Valkyries ahead early, but UMO collected two unanswered goals, including the game winner in the 98th minute to spoil Converse's conference opener.
Cassidy Marshall and Melissa Carlyle led the Purple and Gold with three shots each, while Aidyn Cantor added two of her own. Lycans posted the lone score off Anna Claire Albritton's first assist of the season. Kaylee Larson and Jaelyn Brown each scored a goal for the Trojans.
Converse wasted no time putting pressure on UMO's defense as Marshall took a shot on goal just 55 ticks into the contest. However, the Trojans keeper erased the scoring opportunity with one of her five saves.
The Trojans were able to get rolling on offense, but Darian Bankston showed her athletic ability in goal, turning away several shots off the boot of Mount Olive. Lycans put Converse ahead with just under eight minutes to play in the first half when she took a beautiful pass from Albritton and blasted it past the Trojans net minder. That score would be the only one of the half as Converse took the 1-0 lead into the half.
However, Brown evened the score at 1-1 in the 59th minute with an unassisted score. From that point the defenses showed grit, not allowing either offense to collect the go ahead goal, sending the game into overtime.
A misplayed ball by Bankston seven minutes into the extra session allowed Larson to plant the rock into the back of the net, giving Mount Olive the 2-1 victory.
Converse will be back in action on Tuesday, September 11 as it welcomes Barton to Hayden Abney Fulp Field for a Conference Carolinas showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.