Cooper Gaypia scored twice as the University of Mount Olive defeated Belmont Abbey College 4-2 Saturday night at Amon Field in Conference Carolinas men's soccer. The Trojans used two second half goals to break the tie and seal the win.
Mount Olive (3-2 Overall, 2-0 Conference Carolinas) started off hot right out of the gate as Trevor Knight put the Trojans on the board first in the third minute. Malick Chune placed a perfect through ball to Knight who beat the keeper in the far post.
Knight then helped another Trojan keep the pressure on with his own through ball pass. This time Gaypia was the recipient of a pass just in front of the Belmont Abbey (1-4, 0-1) defense and struck for the second goal of the game.
The Crusaders were held scoreless for the entire first half and 13 mins into the second half before Nando Morales found the back of the net. Morales on a free kick 25 yards out placed a perfect back door shot that slipped right past the Trojan keeper's hand in the upper 90 of the near post.
Belmont Abbey looked to continue the offensive pressure in the 71st minute. Ty Haddock hit a ground burnning kick outside of the box that bounced just under the Mount Olive keeper and the Crusaders tied the game at two.
Mount Olive not to be outdone, responded in the 72nd minute with a goal of their own off a free kick. Bright Eto appeared to take the free kick but instead hit a quick pass to Chune. The Trojan midfielder thwarted the Crusaders keeper's attempt at a save and struck the back of the net.
In the 79th minute Gaypia looked to seal the win for Mount Olive. Gaypia stuck for the far post and his shot tipped off the fingers of the outstretched Belmont Abbey keeper and hit the back far corner of the net.
Belmont managed only one more shot after the 4-2 goal and Mount Olive took the win at Amon Field.
Gaypia, Knight, and Chune were perfect on their shot attempts as all three scored on their respective shots on goal. Nick Bernsdorf (2-1) recorded three saves on three shots on goal and surrendered no goals.
Mount Olive will hit the road as the Trojans face arch rival Barton College Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Wilson, N.C. The road trip will start a four game away streak for the Trojans.