BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's soccer team claimed victory in its third consecutive match, winning a 3-1 decision over the visiting Columbia College Koalas at Pulliam Stadium Wednesday evening. With the triumph, Montreat improved to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in conference action.
 
The Cavaliers got on the board first in only the fifth minute of play. After earning a corner kick, the Cavs made Columbia pay with the set piece from Teigan Eicher. Eicher sent a floating ball into the box that was met by the head of Jackie Montes. Though Montes' initial effort was stopped by the defense, her follow-up poke found the back of the net to give Montreat a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Cavs doubled their lead in the 24^th minute when Isabel Aguilar notched a tally. Aguilar picked the pocket of a Koala defender and curled a beautifully struck shot from just outside the left side of the box into the far-side netting.
 
Montreat controlled the first 30 minutes of the contest; however, the visitors made a push in the final 15 minutes of the first frame. Columbia capitalized on a turnover in the Cavalier defensive third by putting home a strike to pull within one with 6:33 to go in the period. Due to the late pressure in the half, the Koalas led the shot total 4-3, but the Cavs captained in the most important category on the scoreboard, 2-1.
 
A strong defensive effort allowed Montreat to withstand a threatening span of possession by Columbia in the beginning of the second period.
 
Eventually, the Cavs held long enough to produce a goal in the counterattack. Hayden Bunn fed a perfectly weighted through ball to a sprinting Montes, who coolly slotted the ball into the net with her right foot in the 71^st minute. Montes now leads Montreat with eight goals through five games this season.
 
Thanks to the insurance goal, and the complete match by the entire squad, the Cavaliers have now won each of their last three competitions, all conference victories.
 
"I'm really proud of our effort tonight. That was a gritty win and sometimes you need to be at a place where when you don't play your best soccer, you find a way to get the result and that is what we did tonight," commented head coach Kristin Eggert.
 
Women's soccer now hosts Milligan University on Saturday. Kickoff at Pulliam Stadium is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.