WILSON, N.C. – The Barton women's lacrosse team (10-8) fell to Mount Olive (13-5) by a 16-7 score in the semifinals of the 2023 Conference Carolinas Championship Friday afternoon at Electric Supply Company Field and Truist Stadium.
The Trojans, the top seed in the tournament, will take on second-seeded Belmont Abbey (12-6) in the finals on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Belmont Abbey defeated third-seeded North Greenville (10-7), 21-8, in its semifinal contest later in the day.
Mount Olive's Bria Hamilton (Victoria, British Columbia, CANADA) scored a game-high four goals while Ali Davis (Hampstead, N.H.) added three scores as the Trojans scored the first four goals of the second half to break open a close contest. Mount Olive held an 8-6 edge at intermission before holding the Bulldogs to two goals after halftime.
Barton was led by sophomore attacker
Kate Matuza (Hampstead, N.C.), who finished with a pair of goals while junior midfielder
Jayden Smith (Orlando, Fla.) added a goal and an assist but the Bulldogs fell to the Trojans for the second time this season.
Mount Olive, winners of four straight games, held a 38-19 edge in ground balls while goalkeeper Claire Hagen (Prior Lake, Minn.) earned the victory after making five stops. Barton freshman goalkeeper
Avery Gandolf (Medina, Ohio) suffered the loss despite 10 saves on the day. The Bulldogs were the fourth seed in the tournament.
