Belmont Abbey junior midfielder Jillian Lang scored her second goal of the year in the 82nd minute as the Crusaders increased pressure, but Lenoir-Rhyne held on for a 2-1 win this evening in Hickory. The Bears improve to 2-2-1, while the Abbey drops to 1-2-2.

The match was delayed 75 minutes due to lightning in the area. Kickoff was just after 8:15.

Lenoir-Rhyne wasted no time taking the lead, as Garcelle Alequine scored just 36 seconds into the match on what turned out to be the only Bears shot of the half. Belmont Abbey attempted four shots in the first half, two of which were saved. Lang sent one high and Meghan Philp's header off of a Simone Melvin corner kick sailed inches wide.

The match remained 1-0 until the 73rd minute when Alequine scored again as she ran down a long ball down the line, beat her mark and found the back of the net again to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.

Belmont Abbey increased its pressure as three of the Crusaders five shots came in the final ten minutes. One of those was Lang's goal, which came at the 81:23 mark. Theresa Mateo sent a pass back to Lang, who one timed a shot into the upper right corner for her second goal of the season.

The Crusaders had two shots in the final four minutes, both by Laura Shelton. Her first shot sailed wide, and her last, with 14 seconds left, was saved by Genny Little.

The Bears attempted ten shots with the Abbey totaling nine. Lenoir-Rhyne was credited with four corner kicks with the Crusaders kicking three.

Hannah Kohls made three saves.

The Crusaders are back in action Saturday at 3:00 when hosting North Georgia. It will be Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Alumni Field.