FLORENCE, S.C. – The Erskine College men's soccer team (7-1, 6-0 CC) was handed its first defeat of the season following a 1-0 loss to Belmont Abbey College (6-9-1, 3-3-1 CC) in the 2021 Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals at the Florence Soccer Complex on Friday afternoon. A second-half goal from the Crusaders, the first goal conceded by the Fleet this season, proved to be the difference.
 
THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Table | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
The Fleet and Crusaders split the season series, each winning by a score of 1-0 and Belmont Abbey now has a narrow 6-5-4 advantage over Erskine all-time.

THE MATCH
The top-seeded Flying Fleet and the sxith-seeded Crusaders squared off in the conference tournament semifinals in a rematch of a 1-0 Erskine win earlier this month in the final match of the regular season. Like that match, this postseason affair followed a similar narrative as the Fleet controlled possession and had the majority of the chances, doubling Belmont Abbey in shots 8 to 4, in the opening half. In the 34th minute, Erskine drew a foul in the box and was awarded a penalty kick, but Fernando Gonzalez's attempt was saved the Crusaders' goalkeeper as the teams went into the halftime break scoreless. The Fleet also had the first three shots of the second half, but were unable to open the scoring. Although Erskine controlled the match, Belmont Abbey looked a threat on the counter attack and it was the Crusaders who broke the deadlock with a goal in the 68th minute to take the lead. The Fleet turned up the attacking intensity in the final minutes, needing a goal, but could not find a way through a stout Belmont Abbey defense as they fell to the Crusaders, 1-0, in the Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals.

THE TEAM
The Fleet outshot Belmont Abbey 15 to 6, and had five attempts on target to the Crusaders' three. Erskine also had five corner kicks in the match.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine is eliminated from the 2021 Conference Carolinas Tournament, ending an outstanding, shortened 2021 campaign that saw the Fleet win each of their first seven matches before today's defeat.

The Fleet rose as high as 16 in the Division II United Soccer Coaches poll and, coming into the match, were the only school in Division II Men's Soccer yet to concede a goal this season.
 
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