Box Score
by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C.-Sophomore Dante De Luca scored his conference-leading 11th goal of the season on a penalty kick early in the second half, and junior keeper Vasily Yakimkin made the lead stand by producing 10 saves for his second straight shutout as host Barton edged rival Mount Olive, 1-0, in Conference Carolinas men's soccer action Wednesday.
De Luca's goal, his fifth in the team's last four games, was scored in the 52nd minute after the Trojans (3-8-1, 2-4-1) were called for a foul while battling for a loose ball right in front of the Mount Olive net following a corner kick. The score turned out to be De Luca's fourth game-winning goal of the season and his 25th point of the year, also a league-best.
Barton has won four of its last five league games to move over .500 in the conference at 4-3. The Bulldogs are 5-6-1 overall.
The shot was the only one of the half for the Bulldogs, and one of just four in the game. Nick Ahlquist scored a second goal for Barton in the 71st minute, but that goal was wiped away by an offsides call.
To claim their third shutout in the last four games, Yakimkin and Barton first had to survive a 20-shot attack from Mount Olive, including a barrage of shots in the final two minutes when the Trojans left their net empty and brought their goalie forward to the offensive end.
Kelly Keaton took a shot with 1:30 to go that was deflected by Yahimkin, the first of six shots Mount Olive would fire at the keeper in the waning moments. The Trojans' best chance came with 38 seconds to go, when Alex Rodriguez ripped a shot from the right wing that hit the crossbar. Tyler Vandevender was left with a great look at the goal on the rebound, but his attempt missed wide left.
Yakimkin denied several shots by Rodriguez in the contest, diving on an attempt just inside the right post 39 seconds into the match, tipping a shot over the crossbar three minutes into the second half, and stopping a sliding shot from 10 yards out in the 62nd minute.
Outside of De Luca's goal, Barton's best scoring chance came 15 minutes into the contest on a breakaway by junior Archer Bane. However, Mount Olive defender Mason Watkins stripped the ball away just above the box.
The Bulldogs will make their final road trip of the regular season on Saturday, visiting Limestone College for a 3 p.m. contest. The No. 6 Southeast Region ranked Saints are the only team still unbeaten in league play, sporting a record of 5-0-1 in the conference and 7-3-1 overall.
