FLORENCE, S.C. – The Chowan Men's Soccer team scored early and fought off their rivals, Mount Olive, in the Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Semifinals to earn their second appearance in the Conference Carolinas Finals with a 1-0 win on Friday afternoon.

The win marks 12 wins on the season, tying the program record.  In head coach Chris Whalley's first season (2014), he led the Hawks to a 12-8-0 overall record.  Chowan also posted a 12 win season in 1997 during the Division III era.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 1, Mount Olive 0

RECORDS | Chowan 12-3-1, Mount Olive 12-6-0

LOCATION | Florence, S.C. (Florence Soccer Complex)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Tren Drexhage netted his third goal of the season, and biggest goal of his career.  Erik Ruiz collected an assist.

Charlie Farrar earned the shutout in goal posting three saves.

The Hawks outshot the Trojans 17-9 in the match and 7-3 in on frame targets.  Chowan also took 14 corners in the match.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half:

The Hawks went on the front foot in the opening minutes of the contest as Erik Ruiz forced a save early by the Trojan keeper.

Chowan would continue the pressure as Erik Ruiz sent in a header that the Mount Olive keeper had to push off the crossbar.  The attempt was unsuccessful allowing Tren Drexhage to clean up on the right post for the 1-0 lead just 2:21 into the match.

Mount Olive pushed for the equalizer in the 16' with a pair of close range shots that were denied by Charlie Farrar.

Aldair Anica Hernandez and Harri Lovett had shots on frame before the intermission.

Second Half:

Tren Drexhage tried to make it 2-0 in the 49' as his shot was turned away by the UMO keeper.

Mount Olive continued to search for the equalizer but came up empty as a shot was blocked before Charlie Farrar made a save.

In the latter stages of the match, James Randall, Tren Drexhage, Dennis Bates, Sam Hall, and Harri Lovett had chances that just missed the back of the net.

The Hawks back line of Toby Sims, Timo De Graaf, Devontay Blair, and Harri Lovett aided in the shutout.

UP NEXT

Chowan will take on the top-seeded Francis Marion in the Conference Carolinas Finals on Sunday, November 14.  Opening touch is slated for 1pm.  The action can be found here.