Mount Olive, NC — Behind a dominant second-half defensive performance, the University of Mount Olive women’s lacrosse team rolled to a 20-8 victory over Emmanuel College on Senior Day in Conference Carolinas action at the Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex on Saturday.
The win marks the sixth straight for the Trojans, who improve to 7-6 overall and 6-1 in conference play. UMO remains undefeated in the all-time series against Emmanuel, holding a 9-0 record and having scored at least 20 goals in six of those matchups. Emmanuel drops to 6-7 overall and 2-4 in the league.
Fifth-year standout Logan Hibbard powered the Trojans with a six-point effort, notching five goals and an assist while also contributing five caused turnovers, four draw controls, and three ground balls. Kayanna Bowden, a sophomore, added four goals and four ground balls, while seniors Rileigh White and Lena DeFilippo delivered on their special day—White with two goals and two assists, and DeFilippo completing a hat trick.
Mount Olive jumped out to an early 2-0 lead within the first three minutes with scores from Bowden and White. While Emmanuel responded, UMO surged ahead with four unanswered goals to build a 6-1 advantage. Despite a late push from the Lions to close the quarter at 7-5, the Trojans responded in the second, regaining momentum and stretching their lead to 13-8 by halftime, thanks in part to Hibbard’s first-half hat trick.
The second half belonged entirely to the Trojan defense. Mount Olive held Emmanuel scoreless over the final 30 minutes, limiting them to just four shots. The offense kept rolling, adding seven more goals, including two more from DeFilippo to complete her hat trick.
Senior Anna James started in goal and recorded six saves in just over 20 minutes of action, while freshman Lily Mahoney took over and made five stops in the second half. Defensively, Madison Dow, Alex Goodale, and Caroline Clark each tallied two caused turnovers.
The Trojans outshot Emmanuel 47-25 and converted 16-of-20 clearances.
Mount Olive is back in action on Tuesday, April 8, when they host Lander University in non-conference play. Opening draw is set for 3 p.m.
