By Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
The UNC Pembroke women’s soccer team fell on the road Thursday night in a Conference Carolina matchup with the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. The Braves struck first but the Crusaders jumped out to a big lead by scoring four unanswered goals, the Braves fell short of mounting a comeback falling 4-3 on the road.
Mercy Bell scored first sending it pass the goalie in the back of the net off an assist from Anna Grossheim in the 18th minute to jump out to a 1-0 early lead. The Crusaders tied the match up in the 37th minute on a goal by Reagan Cullen who took advantage of a corner kick by Belmont Abbey and netted it in to make it 1-1. The Crusaders took the lead minutes later to take a 2-1 lead at the half off a goal from Logan Parry off a assist from Gabriela Enciso.
Belmont Abbey struck fast to start the second half in the 49th minute when Haley Long placed a kick into the back of the net to make it 3-1. The Crusaders poured on to their lead ten minutes later when Sabrina Sunha broke free from two Braves defenders and found the net to make it 4-1. The Braves finally were able to answer on a goal when Bea Vazquezez found Bell down the field to make it 4-2 in the 60th minute. The Braves cut the Crusaders lead down to one off an another goal by Bell off an assist this time from Abigail Lowry to make it 4-3. The Crusaders were able to hold off the Braves in the last few minutes to pick up the win.
Bell recored three goals on eight total shots with four coming from shots on goal, Lowry had four shots on the night with two shots on goal and recording one assist. Grossheim finished with four shots and one shot on goal and picked up one assist and Vazquezez had two shots and one assist
The Braves (3-3-0, 2-1-0 CC) will be back in action at home on Saturday when they welcome Mount Olive (0-2-3, 0-1-1 CC) to town for a Conference Carolina matchup. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.