BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— Behind a dominant performance that started with the opening whistle Wednesday night, the Montreat women's soccer team cruised past the Union College Bulldogs to grab a 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) win. Following the victory in Black Mountain, N.C., the Cavaliers' record improved to 7-3-1 (7-2-1 AAC).
 
Montreat smothered the Bulldogs from the kickoff, peppering the Union goal with plethora of shots. In the 15^th minute, the Cavs finally broke through with their initial score of the night.
 
Dribbling centrally in the midfield, Isabel Aguilar simply guided a pass to Hayden Bunn in a pocket of open space. Needing just one dribble to set up a long-range strike, Bunn launched a rocket from near the top-right corner of the 18-yard box. With the perfect amount of power and touch, Bunn's shot soared over the Union goalkeeper and tucked itself into the left netting 14:53 into the match.
 
Less than seven minutes later, Montreat's continuous pressure resulted in another tally. Sam Aalbue forced a turnover 35 yards out from goal to start the goal-scoring sequence. Then, thanks to a couple of one-touch passes from Aalbue and Sofia Brotherton, Aguilar found herself with tons of room in a dangerous area. The Frostproof, Fla. native needed only a few simple dribbles toward the top of the Bulldog half-circle before she unfurled a strike into the net's top right corner, just above the outstretched fingertips of the Union keeper.
 
Aguilar's 22^nd-minute goal, coupled with strong play by the Cavalier midfield and backline, handed the hosts a comfortable 2-0 halftime lead.
 
Montreat excelled on both ends of the field through 45 minutes of action, racking up 19 shots, six of which were on target, and seven corner kicks. Meanwhile, Union (2-12, 2-10 AAC) failed to register a shot or earn a corner kick prior to the intermission.
 
Still on the front foot as play resumed, Aalbue, Aguilar and Bunn combined to expand the Cav advantage out to 3-0 midway through the second half. With 20:13 remaining in regulation, Aalbue held possession along the left sideline in the attacking third. Aalbue pulled a pass back to Aguilar in the midfield, and Aguilar kept the ball moving by slotting a feed to Bunn. From roughly 22 yards out, Bunn rifled another shot into the net, this time picking out the top left corner. Bunn's second goal of the night and team-high sixth goal of the season added to the separation between the two teams, moving the Cavaliers ahead by three goals (3-0) while simultaneously closing out the scoring Wednesday night.
 
As well as things clicked offensively for Montreat, the defense proved just as stout. The Cavs didn't concede a single shot attempt through 90 minutes of game action, a feat the hosts achieved for the first time since a 3-0 win against Bluefield University on Oct. 31, 2020.
 
On the other side, Montreat racked up 35 totals shots, 13 of which were on goal, as well as 10 corner kicks.
 
"Once again, our possession looked on point," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "Credit to our midfield tonight for getting into the back of the net. I loved the team effort and how we locked things down through the back to not allow a shot on goal."
 
The Montreat women's soccer team looks to keep its strong run of form going when it travels to Johnson University-Tennessee this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in Knoxville, Tenn.