BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey men's soccer team was locked in a battle with Northwest Division rival Converse Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. Despite taking an early goal and 2-0 lead, the Crusaders and Valkyries finished in a 2-2 draw.
The Crusaders jumped out to an early lead thanks to a
Sam Reynolds goal just 33 seconds into the match while
Daniel Alvarenga scored his second goal of the season. Converse scored two goals in the closing minutes to preserve a tie.
With Saturday's result, Belmont Abbey is now 3-3-2 on the season and 2-2-2 in Conference Carolinas play. Converse is 4-4-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the league. In Northwest Division play, the Crusaders are 1-1-2 while Converse is 1-1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Belmont Abbey scored one of the fastest goals in program history when Reynolds scored his third goal of the season just 33 seconds in.
- Omer Gulmez and Samuel Atherton were credited with assists on the goal.
- Belmont Abbey outshot Converse 6-4 in the first half.
- Trent McConnaughey made his first save in the 12th minute.
- The Crusaders took five shots on goal in the first half.
- Belmont Abbey nearly had a second goal in the 53rd minute when Alex Oropeza's shot went off the crossbar.
- Alvarenga put the Abbey ahead by two with his goal in the 74th minute.
- McConnaughey made three saves in the final 10 minutes.
- Converse scored in the 85th and 88th minutes, respectively, to pull even.
- The Crusaders took 14 shots and had four corner kicks.
HOMECOMING COURT
- In between the men's and women's soccer matches, the 2025 Belmont Abbey homecoming court was recognized during a special ceremony.
- The Homecoming Court is as follows: Kyleigh Coghlan, Isabella Schrout, Mitchell Graveline, Louisa Fallon, Conner Nichols Alexis Burkhalter, Jibriel Elhaddad, John Hetzel, Hannah Martin and Irenge Nkere.
- Hetzel and Martin were crowned the Homecoming King and Queen.
UP NEXT
- The Crusaders head on the road to begin the second round of Northwest Division play for a match at North Greenville.
- The match is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start in Tigerville, S.C.