Belmont Abbey sophomore midfielder Lindsay Palm scored the only goal of the match off a crossing pass from freshman forward Connie Axiotis as the top-seeded Crusaders women's soccer team advanced to the semifinal round with a 1-0 win over eighth-seeded Mount Olive this afternoon in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament. The Abbey extends its unbeaten streak against Conference Carolinas opponents to 38, its home winning streak to 17 and its shutout streak to eight as it improves to 16-2-3. Mount Olive ends its season with a 6-14 mark.

Much like the regular season matchup on October 25, the Abbey controlled most of the match, outshooting the Trojans 17-1 and holding a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.

After a scoreless first half in which the Crusaders outshot Mount Olive 10-1, the Abbey scored the only goal in the 54th minute, as Axiotis dribbled down the left sideline and all the way to the left post where she flicked a crossing pass that was knocked down by Trojans goalkeeper Jenn Sastre. Sastre appeared to have made the save, but as she came down she lost control of the ball. After a scrum, Palm ripped the loose ball into the net for the only goal of the match.

Mount Olive would pressure in the last 15 minutes, but it could not get off a shot as the Abbey advanced to the semifinal round, where it will face the winner of the Barton/Limestone match Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. on the campus of Belmont Abbey College.