Cobras Take Season Opener 4-1 over Mount Olive on Friday

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - The Coker University field hockey team took its season opener with a 4-1 victory at Mount Olive on Friday (Mar. 12).

Mount Olive scored the first goal of the game less than three minutes into the game, taking a 1-0 lead to the second quarter.

The Cobras were able to tie the game with three minutes to play in the first half when Britt Kabo scored her first of the season off an assist from Kelsey Sithole in the right corner. Kabo would score again unassisted with one minute to go in the second, with a shot deflecting in off the right blocker to give Coker a 2-1 lead at the half.

The Cobras would increase their lead under four minutes into the third quarter, when Emily Sponaugle scored off an assist from Kabo when she stashed home a rebound off a saved shot from Kabo. Coker would take the 3-1 lead to the fourth quarter.

Coker would tack on one more goal in the final four minutes of the game, when Rylie Cordrey scored the first goal of her Coker career unassisted.

Coker out-shot Mount Olive 18-6 in the contest, while also out-working the Trojans on penalty corners 24-8. Kabo led the Cobras with two goals, while Sithole and Kabo each had one assist in the game. Sponaugle and Cordrey also scored in the game. Kayla Hnasko (1-0) picked up the win for the Cobras between the pipes, making two saves. 

The Cobras (1-0, 1-0 SACC) are back in action next Tuesday (Mar. 16) when they face Belmont Abbey in conference action at Queens (N.C.). The game is set for a 2:00 p.m. start, with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.