BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— In an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup at Pulliam Stadium against the Point University Skyhawks Saturday evening, the Montreat women's soccer team earned an eventful 1-1 draw. With the result, the Cavs moved to 6-3-1 overall and 6-2-1 in AAC play this year.
Point (4-8-2, 4-4-2 AAC) pressured the Cavaliers for the first portion of the contest, registering the initial four shot attempts over the opening 15 minutes. The final of those chances gave the Skyhawks the lead at the 15:15 mark as a cross found its way into the far side netting.
From that point, the Cavs controlled possession and opportunities for the remaining 30 minutes of the first period. The ensuing seven shots were taken by Montreat players, including dangerous efforts by
Charlotte Craver, who registered a game-high six tries at goal in the opening 45 minutes. Despite outshooting the visitors 10-6 and holding a 5-2 corner kick advantage at the break, the Cavaliers trailed by the 1-0 scoreline.
Mounting pressure resulted in a plethora of chances in the second half for the home side as the Cavs continued to create out of their possession. Montreat, who outshot the Skyhawks 12-1 in the latter period, got their equalizer in the 66
th minute.
Isabel Aguilar settled the ball in the midfield and found
Hayden Bunn to her right. The midfielder slotted a perfectly-weighted through pass to a sprinting
Sydney Jordan down the right side of the field. Jordan then blasted the attempt at goal, beating the Point goalkeeper to the near post for her fifth tally of the season.
Though Montreat had several opportunities to take its first lead of the contest as the team dictated play throughout the final frame, neither squad netted a second goal, resulting in the Cavaliers' first draw of the year. Overall, the Cavs outshot Point 22-7, 7-3 on goal, while recording seven corner kicks to the visitors' three.
Logan White made a pair of saves on Skyhawk shots to preserve the tie.
Head coach
Kristin Eggert stated, "We are really playing a quality brand of soccer. Unfortunately, we didn't tap into that until the second half tonight. We were unlocking the opponents, we just didn't get that second goal."
Women's soccer returns to play for the final game of its 3-game homestand on Wednesday against Union College (Ky.). Kickoff at Pulliam Stadium is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
