BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat men's soccer team got back on track at home against the Bluefield University Rams Wednesday night, defeating the visitors by a score of 4-0 to improve to 5-8 (4-5 AAC) and pick up its first shutout of the season.
 
Bluefield (5-5, 3-4 AAC) had an early chance to take the lead; however, an offside flag prevented the Rams from getting on the board first. Following the initial opportunity by the visitors, the Cavaliers controlled much of the possession for the remainder of the period.
 
Ethan Kerns broke the ice shortly after Bluefield's close call, volleying the Cavs' corner kick off the foot of Hugo Rodriguez into the top right of the net for his second goal of the season. The eighth-minute tally marked Kerns' second goal in as many games.
 
The Rams nearly answered in the 24^th minute as a well-worked passing stretch sent a visiting player in alone on goal. Marius Braedstrup-Holm stretched his hand up to deflect a chip attempt to keep his clean sheet intact midway through the period.
 
Though Montreat created a plethora of chances in the offensive third for the rest of the opening half, neither team could find the back of the net, and the Cavaliers went into the break with a 1-0 advantage. The Cavs did outshoot the Rams 9-1 and registered five corners to Bluefield's mere one.
 
A similar trend continued in the latter frame as Montreat looked to add to its slight edge. Rodriguez nearly doubled the home team's lead in the 76^th minute, forcing a save from the BU keeper, before the pressure mounted in the ensuing moments.
 
Ricardo Madan put the Cavaliers up 2-0 with 13 minutes left thanks to a one-timed effort off a cross. The Cavs concluded a masterful possession as Marco Oyarzo played Guido Glorioso down the left wing. Glorioso cut a ball to the penalty spot where Madan met the cross with his left boot and powered it in for his seventh goal of the season.
 
The Cavs, who notched a trio of goals over 11:33 of game time, poured on the offense late. Oyarzo pickpocketed the Bluefield defense and squared a pass for Madan once more to register the home side's third. The Charlotte, N.C. native blasted the ball into the upper right corner of the net to extend the Cavaliers' advantage with only 2:03 remaining in regulation.
 
Then, the fourth and final tally came just 42 seconds later as Oliver Nuno-Rodriguez coolly potted his first goal of the year. Madan and Oyarzo connected at the top of the penalty box and eventually set up Nuno-Rodriguez on the left side of the area. The midfielder sent his left foot through the ball, and a searching shot across his body found the right post and crossed the goal line to cap off the Cavs' offensive effort.
 
"The guys worked extremely hard for each other tonight and that showed in the performance," noted head coach Michael Bruce. "Getting the first shutout of the season was a team effort and everyone contributed to it. If we continue to work this hard in our remaining games, we will have a positive end to the season," Bruce concluded.
 
Overall, Montreat edged Bluefield in nearly every category, including shots (21-6), shots on goal (12-3) and corner kicks (13-5). Braedstrup-Holm ended the evening with three saves to complete the Cavaliers' first clean sheet of the 2022 season.
 
Men's soccer continues its three-game homestand with a matchup against Point University on Saturday. Kickoff at Pulliam Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.