Quentin M. Reed – Sports Information Graduate Assistant
Raleigh, NC – The Pfeiffer Falcons (8-8-2) women's soccer team advanced to the semifinal round of the Conference Carolinas tournament after defeating the Mount Olive Trojans (9-6-2) by the score of 3-0 on Monday afternoon. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Pfeiffer has advanced to the Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinal round.
The weather didn't have an adverse effect on the Falcon women as they came out from the very start and controlled the match with the Trojans.
With her fourth consecutive start, junior Miracle Campbell came up big as the forward got the Falcons on the board first in the 2nd minute as senior forward Aaliyah Jackson sent a pass into the box and Campbell was there to knock in the five yard chip shot that got by Trojans goalkeeper Stephanie McCoy.
After a Mount Olive foul in the box, Stephanie Hardig came to the penalty kick stripe in the 33rd minute. In Pfeiffer's last regular season game on Saturday at Southern Wesleyan Hardig's penalty kick attempt sailed high over the crossbar, but this time Hardig wasn't denied as she netted Pfeiffer's second goal of the game to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead going into halftime.
With the lead coming out of halftime, Pfeiffer knew what Mount Olive can do on offense. In their October 7th meeting, Ellie Barnes and Nichole Poppe both had two goals apiece in a 4-0 victory. This time, Pfeiffer was ready to stand their ground against the duo and held them to a combined one shot on goal for the game.
With less than ten minutes to play, Jackson sealed the game as she netted a goal off the assist of junior Jennifer Baity.
Falcons' sophomore Deidre Gilley picks up her second consecutive win and second shutout in a row as she adds her sixth win the season in goal for Pfeiffer.
The Falcons return to action as they travel for Conference Carolinas tournament play as they take on Limestone for the semifinal round on Thursday at 7 p.m. at a TBD location.
