University of Mount Olive suffered its first conference loss of the season and had its five-match winning streak snapped as the Trojans fell to nationally second-ranked and undefeated Pfeiffer 2-0 in Conference Carolinas men's soccer Wednesday at Amon Field. The contest was a match-up of the two remaining conference unbeaten.
Mount Olive (7-3-0 overall, 5-1-0 Conference Carolinas) had a scoring chance in the second minute of the match when Cooper Gaypia had a shot from the top of the box, but the attempt was blocked. The Trojans were limited to only two more shots the remainder of the half.
The match was halted at the 13:50 mark after a Trojan player challenged Pfeiffer goalkeeper Nicolas Dulac for a loose ball and an altercation between the two teams ensued. Dulac suffered an injury and was transported by ambulance. The match was delayed for 38 minutes.
No cautions were issued against either team resulting from the altercation, but Mount Olive played a man down for the majority of the match after a Trojan player was issued his second yellow card at the 36:03 mark. The match remained scoreless at the half.
Pfeiffer (10-0-0, 5-0-0) broke the deadlock at 52:39 when Santi Moar's 20-yard shot from right of the box deflected into the goal. The Falcons capitalized on another deflection to add an insurance goal at 68:35. Trojan goalkeeper Nick Bernsdorf was able to deflect Jaime Siaj's laser from the top of the box, but Nathan Regis captured the rebound and scored into an open net.
Bernsdorf finished with eight saves, while Falcon backup keeper Tomas Correa recorded three saves. Pfeiffer outshot Mount Olive 17-6 for the match.
Mount Olive returns to action Saturday as the Trojans play host to Southern Wesleyan University in a Conference Carolinas match-up. Kickoff is 4 p.m. at Amon Field.