BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. –There were a pair of upsets in the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Championship on Friday afternoon. Fourth seed Belmont Abbey College edged top seed Lees-McRae College on penalty kicks before third seed Francis Marion University snuck past UNC Pembroke with a late goal.

#4 Belmont Abbey 0, #1 Lees-McRae 0 (2OT, BAC 4-2 on PKs)
The Crusaders played to a scoreless draw with Lees-McRae for the second time this season, however, this time the teams played two extra sessions and still didn't have a winner. Belmont Abbey outshot the Bobcats, placing five shots on goal while holding Lees-McRae without a shot on target. Two of those chances for Belmont Abbey came in the first extra period, but they both were turned away.

As the game remained scoreless through 110 minutes, the teams prepared for penalty kicks. Belmont Abbey's Mia Muckenthaler and Haley Long converted on their first two attempts while goalkeeper Brianna Sroka turned away the first two Lees-McRae attempts. Grace Siders made it a 3-0 lead before Lees-McRae goalkeeper Chiara Coppin converted for the Bobcats. Following a Crusader miss, Brooke Allen pulled Lees-McRae with 3-2. Samantha Smith then gave Belmont Abbey the 4-2 victory when she converted.

#3 Francis Marion 2, #2 UNC Pembroke 1
Francis Marion grabbed the early lead on a goal from Teyha Dave in the third minute. The score remained the same until the 71st minute when Anna Grossheim found the back of the net for UNC Pembroke to even the tally at 1-1. It appeared the contest was heading to overtime, but Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year Kristina Syragakis found JG Garon who converted in the 90th minute to give Francis Marion the 2-1 victory.

Fans can watch every game of the tournament live via the Conference Carolinas Digital Network and BlueFrame at conferencecarolinasdn.com. Information regarding the championship schedule, bracket and the Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park are available at the link above.

2024 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Championship

First Round – Thursday, November 7 (Higher Seed Hosts)
#4 Belmont Abbey def. #9 Barton, 3-0 Box Score
#5 Converse def. #8 North Greenville, 3-2 (2OT) Box Score
#6 Young Harris def. #7 Mount Olive, 2-1 Box Score

Quarterfinals – Sunday, November 10 (Higher Seed Hosts)
#4 Belmont Abbey def. #5 Converse, 3-0 Box Score
#3 Francis Marion def. #6 Young Harris, 4-1 Box Score

Semifinals – Friday, November 15 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
#4 Belmont Abbey tied #1 Lees-McRae 0-0 (BAC advances 4-2 on penalty kicks) Box Score
#3 Francis Marion def. #2 UNC Pembroke, 2-1 Box Score

Final – Sunday, November 17 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
#4 Belmont Abbey vs. #2 Francis Marion, 1:00 p.m.