Box Score by Benny Benton
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – For the second time this season, the Barton College men's soccer team suffered a disappointing loss on the same day in which it moved into the national rankings.
This time was particularly painful for the Bulldogs, as the 2-1 setback came in conference play to the program's biggest rival, University of Mount Olive.
The Trojans (5-9-3, 3-5-1) had scared nationally-ranked No. 9 Limestone College in their most recent match, falling 1-0 in double overtime, and this time was able to finish off an upset against No. 21 Barton (11-5-0, 6-3-0) with a strong defensive performance.
Mount Olive held a high-powered BC offense ranked 29th nationally in scoring offense (2.27 goals per match) to just eight total shots and just two on goal. Barton's lone goal was recorded by senior Dante De Luca in the 82nd minute on a penalty kick following a handball foul in the box.
After a scoreless first half, UMO's Kevin Williams Lopez broke through a double-team and fired a shot from the right side of the box to the left post. The shot was wide, but Trevor Knight was in front of the post to put away the follow-up attempt and give Mount Olive a 1-0 advantage three minutes into the second period.
Barton thought it had scored the equalizer just two minutes later on a chip in front of the net by defender Jovan Gracia, but the goal was waived off by an offsides foul.
The Trojans added an insurance goal in the 75th minute when Dauda Sanoh intercepted a pass inside of midfield and played the ball to Edrisa Chune, who glanced a shot off the bottom of the crossbar and behind the goal line from 25 yards out, putting UMO up 2-0.
Trailing by one late in the match, the Bulldogs had one final scoring chance on a free kick from 25 yards out with less than two minutes to play, but the shot was high and Barton saw a six-match winning streak come to an end.
Mount Olive, which has gone 3-1-1 in its last five conference matches, enjoyed an 18-8 advantage in shots and a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
Barton keeper Jens Madsen Hordvik produced six saves. Mount Olive goalie Jared Miller, making just his third collegiate start, saved the only shot on goal for the Bulldogs besides the penalty kick.
The Bulldogs had hoped to clinch a top-four league finish and a home match for the first round of the upcoming Conference Carolinas Tournament. Barton will have another chance to do so on Saturday in its regular-season finale at King University.
