Cobras Shut Out Belmont Abbey to Advance to South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Tournament Semifinals

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University field hockey team shut out Belmont Abbey 1-0 on Tuesday (Mar. 30) to advance to the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Tournament Semifinals.

The teams were scoreless after one quarter, with Coker out-shooting Belmont Abbey 4-1. Coker would go on to out-shoot Belmont Abbey 3-1 in a scoreless second quarter as the teams went to the break knotted at 0-0.

Kelsey Sithole netted the lone marker unassisted six minutes into the third, as the Cobras held the Crusaders without a shot in the quarter. Coker was able to keep the Crusaders off the scoreboard in the fourth to secure the victory.

Coker out-shot Belmont Abbey 10-5 in the contest, with four shots off Sithole's stick and three by Emily Sponaugle. Britt Kabo, Coda Fisher and Payton O'Toole each also recorded one shot in the game. Coker also out-worked Belmont Abbey 6-2 in penalty corners. Kelsey Gibbons (3-1) earned the victory for Coker in her second shutout of the season, making four saves.

The Cobras (4-2, 3-2 SACC) are back in action for the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas tournament semifinals on Friday (Apr. 2) to face Limestone. The action begins at 2:00 p.m. from Charlotte, N.C., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Kelsey Sithole