MOUNT OLIVE. N.C. - The fourth ranked Queens Royals opened their 2021 campaign with a 12-9 win on the road at Mount Olive as they bested the 21st ranked Trojans.
Kara Blanchard led all Queens scorers with six points on five goals and an assist.
Rachel Perrett completed the hat trick for three points and
Sydney Bracken added two points on a pair of goals. Solo goals from
Shannon Donovan and
Shannon Kingston rounded out the scoring for the Royals.
Ally Blood finished with two points both coming from assists.
Sara Mitrecic was a constant menace to the Trojan attack finishing with eight saves.
The first half of the contest had a frantic pace to it as both teams attempted to produce a multi-goal lead going into the break, but neither could do so. Blanchard opened the game's scoring exactly one minute in and the goals didn't stop there. Mount Olive responded with a pair of goals nearly a minute apart to take a 2-1 lead. Blanchard equalized shortly after with an unassisted effort. The Trojans produced another responsive run regaining a two-goal advantage. Perrett cut into the lead only to have Mount Olive re-establish a 5-3 lead nearing the mid-way point of the half. Then Queens went on their own run, scoring three unanswered goals across a five-minute stretch. The Trojans were able to draw level before halftime as the Royals went into the break tied 6-6.
The Royals came out of the dressing room and jumped on the accelerator as the offense exploded for three goals in a three-minute run that would prove devastating to the Trojans. Mount Olive finally got on the board in the second half scoring just before the 15-minute mark. Queens responded within a minute to regain a three-goal margin 10-7. Mount Olive was again able to cut into the Royals lead before Queens landed the knockout blow. Two goals in 45 seconds proved to be all the Royals needed to put away Mount Olive with a 12-9 win.
The Royals dominated the statistical side of the game, winning all major categories. Queens outshot Mount Olive 30-21 and hit the net 25 times compared to 17 by the Trojans. The Royals edged out a close turnover battle 24-23. The Royals were able to control possession by winning 16 out of 23 draws. Queens cleared the ball with an 86-percent success rate as Mount Olive finished with an 80-percent success rate. The battle on the ground was another narrow category seeing Queens finish with 23 to the Trojans 20.
The Royals are back in action next Wednesday, February 24 on the road at Newberry. The game is set for a 3 p.m. start.
