For the second-straight year, the Belmont Abbey men's soccer team went on the road to defeat the 17th-nationally ranked and third-seeded Limestone Saints in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament. The Abbey advanced on penalty kicks by a 3-1 count after the two teams played scoreless soccer for 110 minutes. The match is officially counted as a tie, as the Abbey is now 9-9-3, while the Saints slip to 15-2-2.

In the penalty kick shootout, Crusaders goalkeeper Bryan Alenky stopped the first two Saints shots, allowed a Saints tally on the third shot, and then the final Limestone kicker fired his shot over the crossbar. The Abbey made all three of its shots, as Max Pembleton, Logan Rhea and Kody King each scored on their kicks to allow the Abbey to advance to the semifinal round on penalty kicks.

Limestone outshot the Crusaders 25-12, but Alenky was solid in the net, making five saves. The Abbey held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. The match was called very tight, with Limestone whistled for 26 fouls, while the Abbey was charged with 17.

It was the second-straight year that the Abbey defeated Limestone in Gaffney in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament. Last season, Daniel Morrison scored with five seconds left in the first overtime to advance with a 2-1 win. Including today's match, the last three Belmont Abbey-Limestone meetings have been decided in overtime.

The Abbey will now advance to the semifinal round, where it will face either #2 Anderson or #7 Mount Olive on Friday. If Mount Olive upsets Anderson this evening, the Crusaders will host the semifinal round Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Field.