WILSON, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey men's soccer team used a pair of second-half goals to upset No. 4 seed Barton 2-0 Thursday night at Truist Stadium in the opening round of the 2024 Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Championship.

Sam Jordan scored his sixth goal of the season — and fifth from penalty kicks — while Samuel Atherton scored his first goal of the year to cap the scoring
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The Crusaders (8-7-3) advance to the quarterfinals and will face No. 5 seed Young Harris at 7 p.m. Sunday. Barton closes the season with a 7-5-2 record.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams were locked in a scoreless battle in the first 45 minutes with both teams taking three shots each.
• Marcos Frias and Greer Hopkins had the two shots on target in the half for the Abbey.
• Jordan took a match-high five shots, all of which came in the second half.
• The first breakthrough for the Abbey came in the 74th minute when Jordan converted from the spot.
• Atherton's strike came from just inside the box in the 80th minute.
• Belmont Abbey out-shot Barton 8-3 in the second half.
• Trent McConnaughey earned the shutout with three saves.
• Belmont Abbey had four corner kicks on the night.