Cooper Gaypia scored with 33.4 seconds left in regulation - his second goal of the match - as University of Mount Olive overcame a two-goal deficit and a 54-minute lightning delay for a 3-2 victory over King University in Conference Carolinas men's soccer Saturday at Amon Field. The snapped a seven-match losing skid as the Trojans handed the Tornado their first conference loss.
The match appeared headed to overtime when Louis Gorman served the ball from midfield to Gaypia at the top left of the box. Gaypia settled the ball after a high bounce and shot just under the King keeper, who had come off his line to challenge.
Mount Olive (3-7-2 overall, 1-4-0 Conference Carolinas) trailed 2-1 at halftime, but tied the match at the 59:37 mark when Gorman put home a penalty kick. The match was halted just three minutes later when lightning was sighted.
King (5-5-0, 3-1-0) had scoring opportunities after play resumed, but had two shots deflect off the post. Trojan goalkeeper Nick Bernsdorf made a save on a shot after slipping on the wet grass.
After a scoreless 22-plus minutes to start the match, King scored a pair of goals just 93 seconds apart. Tornado goalkeeper Kari Sveinsson was part of a double assist on Eli Carrasco's goal on a counter attack after a Trojan corner kick. Ryan Murphy added a goal at 24:03 to give King a 2-0 lead.
The Trojans needed less than two minutes to cut the lead in half as Gorman flicked Sean Lockett's throw-in in the box. Gaypia one-touched the ball in the back of the net at the 25:43 mark. Gorman figured in all three Trojan scores with a goal and two assists.
Mount Olive returns to action Tuesday as the Trojans travel to Anderson, S.C., to take on Anderson University in a non-conference match-up. Match time is 5 p.m.