HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – Belmont Abbey handed the Lenoir-Rhyne University women their first loss of the soccer season on Monday night, winning 2-1 in double overtime at LRU.
Morganton Patton scored on a breakaway for a win that improved the Crusaders to 2-0.
Junior Judith Verdaguer scored the Bears’ goal in the 25th minute for a 1-0 lead.
Belmont Abbey pulled even in the 40th minute when the Bears were whistled for a hand ball in the box. Sydney Pluhacek converted the ensuing penalty kick to tie it 1-all.
LRUs had a couple of good opportunities to win in the first overtime but Hannah Van Eerden’s shot hit the post just 25 seconds in.
Belmont Abbey had a 17-16 advantage in shots and a 10-6 lead in shots on goal.
The Crusaders also beat LRU by one goal last season, 2-1 in Belmont.
LRU played without injured senior Abbie Brown.
The Bears’ next match is Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Leo.