GAFFNEY, S.C. -- The Belmont Abbey field hockey team took an early lead against Limestone Saturday but it was the Saints who came back to top the Crusaders 2-1 Saturday in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas play. The Abbey fell to 5-2 overall, 3-1 in conference play while the Saints moved to an identical 5-2 overall record and are 4-0 in league play. Saturday's game was a matchup of the top two teams in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a defensive battle in the first quarter with both teams combining for two shots in the first 15 minutes.
• Casey Etter gave the Crusaders a 1-0 lead with 12:50 left in the second quarter with the first shot of the game for her team. It was her fourth goal of the season.
• The Saints pulled even at 1-1 in the third quarter off a penalty corner.
• Limestone held an 11-6 advantage over the Crusaders in penalty corners, which included seven in the span of three minutes in the third quarter.
• The Crusaders had two chances in the fourth quarter to retake the lead in the span of 21 seconds. The first came on a penalty stroke and the second was thwarted on a defensive save by the Limestone defense.
• Limestone scored the game-winning goal with 6:19 left in the contest.
• Chloe Parker finished with six saves on the afternoon for Belmont Abbey. Kiera Lyons and Isabella Grasso had four and three shots, respectively, to lead the Crusaders.

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders return home and will face Mount Olive at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Alumni Field. Belmont Abbey follows that game with another home matchup against Limestone at 6 p.m. Friday.