CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte took to the field this evening to face the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College in a conference match-up. The Royals entered the game number one in Conference Carolinas at 4-0 while the Crusaders were 3-0. Belmont Abbey, Ranked 17th in the nation, escaped the Queens Sports Complex with a 3-2 win taking over first place in Conference Carolinas.

After a Crusader goal scored in the 23rd minute of play by Connie Axiotis, Megan Sload (Conestoga, Pa., Penn Manor) of the Royals booted a deflected ball straight up the middle that found the back of the net tying the game at 1-1 just before the end of the half.

Lindsay Palm of Belmont Abbey would be the first to score in the second half taking the lead back for the Crusaders. Palm dribbled up the right side of the field and into the box before slipping the ball past Royals goalkeeper Megan Hirschy (Fort Wayne, Ind., Shattuck-St.Mary's School).

Another deflection gave Queens the opportunity to tie the game up at two with 77:03 on the clock. Sarah Johnson (West Columbia, S.C., Brookland-Cayce) fired the ball into the back of the net putting the Royals neck and neck with the third regionally ranked Crusaders. Johnson is the second leading goal getter for Queens with three on the season.

The battle continued with many fouls whistled, 10 for Queens and 11 for Belmont Abbey, as each team tried to take over the lead for good. With the game appearing to be headed for overtime, Axiotis struck again with 87 minutes on the clock. A pass from Emily Archer reached Axiotis as she snuck in on the left side. Her shot slipped past Hirschy and into the net giving the Crusaders the win.

Queens will travel to face Erskine College Saturday at 2:00 p.m.