By Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
The UNC Pembroke women’s soccer team clinched the Conference Carolinas East Division title before their match with Mount Olive thanks to Chowan taking down Francis Marion 2-1 earlier in the day. The Braves secured it for good by taking down the Trojans that night 2-0.
Abigail Lowry scored first in the 26th minute to give the Braves the early advantage breaking free from a pair of Trojan defenders. The Braves padded their lead on a Abigail Harris goal off a assist from Lowry.
Earlier in the week the UNC Pembroke Braves and the Francis Marion Patriots battled from start to end in a highly anticipated Conference Carolina’s clash with first place in conference up for grabs. A late goal by Braves Maria Cancio helped tie the game late in the 89th minute as both sided came to a 3-3 draw. The conference is still up for grabs as a Braves win or Patriots loss will clinch the division for UNCP.
The Braves got things going early in the 21st minute when Abigail Lowery found the back of the net off an assist from Anna Grossheim and Mercy Bell to put the Braves up 1-0. The Patriots responded in the 39th minute to tie the game right before the half on a goal by Kristina Syragakis. We head into the half knotted at 1-1.
The Patriots came out the game in the second half firing scoring two goals right away with the first one coming in the 48th minute on a Jen Bartlett goal off a assist from Syragakis to the give the Patriots the 2-1 lead. They made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute when JG Garon cleared a Braves defenders and fired one in the back of the net.
The Braves responded and found themselves back in this game on a goal where Ashleigh Harris broke free and found the foot of Bell who knocked it in to make it 3-2 in the 58th minute. All leading up to the clutch goal in the 89th minute by Cancio to force the draw.
Bell finished with four total shots with two on goal shots with one goal and one assists. Cancio followed with three total shots with two on goal and one goal. Lowry tallied two total shots with one on goal and coming away with a goal. Grossheim tallied eight shots and four on goal and a assist.
The Braves will draw the #1 seed in the Conference Championship Tournament and will have a double bye and will await their opponent in the semifinals at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, NC with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m.