BELMONT, N.C. The Belmont Abbey field hockey team kept up its strong start to the 2021 season as the Crusaders defeated Queens 2-0 in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Field Hockey play Wednesday evening at Alumni Field. The Abbey moved to 5-1 overall, 3-0 in conference play while the Royals fell to 2-5, 1-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Chloe Parker recorded her third shutout of the season for Belmont Abbey, matching a school record for the most in a single season. Parker also recorded five saves.
• The game was stopped because of a 49-minute lightning delay with 3:43 left in the first quarter. After the delay, the Crusaders struck first with 3:22 left in the opening quarter as Gianna Conti scored off an assist from Meadoe Harrell-Alvarez. It was Conti's team-leading seventh goal of the season.
• Casey Etter added the final goal for Belmont Abbey 70 seconds later. It was her third goal of the season. 
• Belmont Abbey had 10 shots in the first half while the Crusaders held Queens without a shot in the first 30 minutes.
• The Crusaders held a 9-6 advantage in penalty corners over the Royals.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey heads on the road to face Limestone at 2 p.m. Saturday in Gaffney, S.C. in a battle of the last two unbeaten teams in the conference.
• The winner of Saturday's matchup will take sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas standings.