Belmont, N.C. – With their 1-1 draw against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders (8-4-2, 6-2-1 Conference Carolinas), the Converse University men's soccer team (7-4-2, 5-2-2 Conference Carolinas) clinched at least a share of the Conference Carolinas northwest division title on Wednesday night.

The game started slow for both teams as both the Valkyries and Crusaders took just one shot on goal each in the first half. And unfortunately for Converse head coach Rob Miller and company, the Crusaders' shot, taken in the 16th minute, found the back of the net giving Belmont Abbey a 1-0 advantage early.

The team recomposed themselves and held the Crusaders without another shot on goal for the remaining 30 minutes of the half but were unable to find their own goal and entered halftime down 1-0. 

With their eyes on the prize, the Valkyries came back out on the pitch ready to capture a division crown. The Valkyries' equalizer came in the 72nd minute after being awarded a penalty kick. Junior defender Gabriel Verona took the attempt for the Valkyries as he usually does. And like always, he netted the shot, evening the game for the first time in 57 minutes.

Both teams attempted one more shot on goal throughout the remaining 18 minutes of the contest but neither was able to find their elusive second goal. The teams settled for a 1-1 draw, giving the Valkyries at least a share of the northwest division title.

The Valkyries return home one final time in 2023 as they host the Mount Olive Trojans for senior day on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Weisiger Stadium. 

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