With four conference games remaining, the Union Pines soccer team remains in position to win the Cape Fear Valley title, despite a setback Monday.

Harnett Central (8-5-2, 6-3-2) handed the Vikings a 2-1 defeat Monday to drop them into a tie with Western Harnett (12-2, 8-2) atop the conference standings.

Trojan senior Kristen Baker scored twice -- once in each half to help Harnett Central earn the win.

The Vikings played without starting forward Kayla Lively, who missed the game while recovering from a back injury. Without Lively the Vikings struggled to muster offense. Union Pines forward Anna Pilson saw her streak of games with an assist end at five and Kacey Graner's consecutive match scoring streak ended at four.

Baker put the Trojans up 1-0 when she converted a penalty kick in the 31st minute. She made it 2-0 when she scored with 13 minutes remaining in the second half.

Despite their offensive struggles the Vikings didn't quit.

Junior defender Taylor Smith converted on a free-kick from 23-yards out to make the score 2-1 with 1:39 left in the match.

Union Pines is now 10-3 overall and 8-2 in conference. If Union Pines wins its final four CFV matches, the team will be the 2009 conference champions.

The Lady Vikes return to league action today, as they host Triton Hawks (3-7, 4-7-1.) at New Century Middle School.

Vike fullback Jessie Wilson is elligible to return to action after missing the previous four games while serving a suspension due to a red card.

Earlier this season Union Pines defeated Triton, 6-3, behind a four-goal second half performance from Carly Lively.

Today's match is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

Contact F.W. Manning II at 639-5481 or by email at fwm2@nc.rr.com.