GAINESVILLE, Ga.— Needing a win to clinch the No. 3 seed and host a home quarterfinal in next weekend's Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament, the Montreat women's soccer team scored a dramatic overtime game-winner off the left foot of Jackie Montes to snag all three points at Brenau University (Ga.), 1-0. The victory moved Montreat to 12-3 (11-3 AAC), its winningest season overall since 2013.
 
Montreat peppered the Brenau goal with shots in the first half, starting early with a Sydney Jordan strike in the fifth minute; however, the closest the Cavaliers came to scoring a goal was off the left foot of Montes in the 12^th minute. Off a nice through ball from the center of midfield, Montes created space near the top of the Brenau 18-yard box and attempted to dip a left-footed blast over Brenau goalkeeper Daphne Ramirez and underneath the crossbar. For a moment, it looked as if Montes had gotten the shot just right, but as the ball dipped, it ran out of space and pinged off the crossbar and bounced out of play.
 
Brenau's most dangerous chance came just a few minutes prior to Montes' crossbar blast. In the ninth minute of action, Hayden Galbraith made an attacking run down the right flank. She was able to create enough space to dribble down the end line and into the Montreat 18-yard box, but Cavalier goalkeeper Payton Landy had the near post covered and made the chest-high save falling to her right.
 
The Cavaliers created the lion's share of scoring chances in the opening 45 minutes of play against the Golden Tigers. From total shots (12-5) to shots on target (8-2) to corner kicks (1-0), Montreat had more opportunities in the attacking third, but both goalies were up to the task in the first half, as Ramirez and Landy combined to stop all 10 shots on target.
 
Landy continued her strong play in net early in the second half, as the Golden Tigers placed two long-range shots on target in the 59^th and 60^th minutes. The first strike was a roller, while the second was at head-height. Despite Brenau attacking the net with shots at different elevations, Montreat's veteran goalkeeper made the crucial stops to keep the match scoreless.
 
The Cavaliers created a flurry of chances as regulation neared its close. From the 76^th minute through the 78^th minute, Montes, Isabel Aguilar and Kali Vician took four shots in or around the penalty area; however, none of the four shots landed on target. With neither side able to break the deadlock in 90 minutes of game action, the match headed to overtime. The Cavaliers entered overtime with total shots (21-9) and shots on target (9-6) edges over the Golden Tigers.
 
Aguilar came close to netting the overtime winner for Montreat in the 97^th minute. From the right edge of the 18-yard box, she floated a strike toward goal that glanced off the crossbar. Ultimately, the near-goal proved to be a sign of things to come. Just one minute later, Montes got on the end of a loose ball that was cleared out of the box by a sliding challenge. Shifting the ball onto her favored left foot, Montes had the angle at the half-circle and ripped a shot past Ramirez underneath the crossbar for the overtime winner.
 
"This team has shown resilience time and time again this season," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "It is excellent to finish in third at 12-3 on the season, but now our eyes are set on preparing for the [AAC] Tournament."
 
Montreat held an advantage in most statistical categories on the evening, including total shots (23-14), shots on target (10-6) and corner kicks (2-1). Montes' overtime winner was her 12^th goal of the season and second game-winning goal.
 
With the conclusion of the regular season, Montreat women's soccer now turns its attention to the AAC Tournament. The Cavaliers finished the regular season third in the AAC standings and will host the sixth-place finisher, Milligan University, next Saturday, Nov. 6. The match is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.