BELMONT, N.C. – Senior Gianna Mancinelli posted her third goal of the season but it was not enough as the Converse College soccer team fell at Belmont Abbey College on Saturday afternoon.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Converse 1, Belmont Abbey 3
Records: Converse (2-14, 1-10 CC), Belmont Abbey (9-3-3, 7-1-2 CC)
Location: Alumni Field, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, N.C.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Mancinelli led the Vals with three shots and the lone goal of the game for Converse.
- Five other Valkyries registered a shot during the contest.
- Aidyn Cantor tallied an assist on the afternoon.
- Darian Bankston collected eight saves in goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The early portion of the contest was evenly played, but Belmont Abbey was able to strike first in the contest, posting a score at the 10:31 mark of the opening half. From that point both defenses were stellar as the game carried late into the first half.
However, Abbey was able to double its lead with less than seven minutes to play before halftime, sending the Valkyries into the locker room trailing 2-0.
Second Half
After 45 minutes of scoreless soccer, Converse came out strong to open the second, cutting the Crusaders lead in half in the 50th minute. The Valkyries issued pressure at BAC, but Jade Berwager and Cantor had their shots denied. However, Manicinelli would not be turned away as she took a pass from Cantor and blasted it past the keeper.
Belmont Abbey was able to extend the lead back to a two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute following a score from Abbey Morgan. From that point the Valkyries could get only one more shot off over the final 28 minutes, falling to the Crusaders by the 3-1 final.
UP NEXT
Converse closes out the 2019 season on Tuesday, November 5 as it plays host to UNC Pembroke at 6 p.m. on Hayden Abney Fulp Field.