Belmont, N.C. - The North Greenville Trailblazers opened Conference Carolinas play against Belmont Abbey on Tuesday afternoon, falling to the Crusaders with a final score of 1-0. After a scoreless opening half, Belmont Abbey scored the match's lone goal early in the second period. The loss moved North Greenville to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Belmont Abbey improved to 3-1-1 overall and 1-0-1 in conference play.
Belmont Abbey kept the NGU defense busy in the opening half, posting ten shots, but North Greenville goalkeeper Cadie Pendergrass kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard with five saves. NGU recorded four shots in the half. The two teams would go into halftime scoreless.
The Crusaders officially broke through at the 50:31 mark, when Hannah Willis scored her first goal of the season off assists from Haley Long and Kelcey Morris to put Belmont Abbey ahead 1-0. That proved to be the only goal of the match as both goalkeepers kept the score at bay throughout the remainder of the game.
North Greenville finished with six shots, including two on goal. Christabel Kirkham led NGU with two attempts, while Gyurich and Vanderkallen each recorded a shot on goal. Ana Maria Pinzon and Jaycee Watkins also registered shots.
Pendergrass turned in a strong performance at goalkeeper, playing all 90 minutes and recording nine saves while allowing just the one goal.
NGU will return to action on Saturday, September 12 against the Lions of Emmanuel University at Pepsi Stadium.
