Box Score by Benny Benton
TIGERVILLE, S.C. – Barton College surrendered a goal in the 14th minute of Saturday's Conference Carolinas match at North Greenville University and trailed the rest of the way in a 3-1 Conference Carolinas loss to the Crusaders at Pepsi Stadium.
The loss dropped the Bulldogs (4-10-1 overall) to 1-7-1 in league play and eliminated Barton from Conference Carolinas Tournament qualification. The Crusaders (4-8-1 overall) improved to 3-5-1 in the conference and moved into a tie with University of Mount Olive for the final two league tourney spots entering the final week of the regular season.
Although Barton took four of the five shots recorded during the first 31 minutes of the match, North Greenville scored on its only attempt. James Segovia registered the goal for the Crusaders, his first of the season, at the 13:33 mark.
North Greenville pressured the Bulldogs over the final 15 minutes of the first half, but Barton keeper Jens Madsen Hordvik recorded four saves over that span.
James Miller posted three first-half saves for the Crusaders, most of those coming early in the period.
Hordvik added three more saves and Miller collected two more in the first 10 minutes of the second half before North Greenville broke through again on Ope Olaloko's fourth goal of the year in the 61st minute.
Four minutes later, Barton answered with its lone goal of the night on a header by freshman Ruben Mancio. The score, Mancio's fourth of the season, came off a corner kick from junior Tolly Beatson, who earned his team-high seventh assist of the year on the play.
Barton produced four more shots on goal in the game's next 15 minutes, but all were stopped by Miller.
The Crusaders ended BC's hopes for a game-tying equalizer when they added an insurance goal with 3:37 remaining. Marlon Evans tallied the goal, his first of the season, off an assist from Keletso Mathathe.
Barton took 13 total shots in the match, 10 of those on goal, and Miller came away with nine saves for NGU. The Crusaders attempted 11 shots, 10 of those on goal as well, and Hordvik collected seven saves.
North Greenville was whistled for 17 fouls to Barton's 10, and the Bulldogs enjoyed a slim 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
BC will host Regent University on Monday at 5 p.m. and travel to Coker College on Wednesday night before playing its final conference match of the year Saturday at home against King University. The match with the Tornado will also serve as Senior Day and will be held in conjunction with Homecoming.
