GRAYSON, Ky.— The Montreat men's soccer team traveled to Grayson, Ky. Wednesday evening and came away with a 7-2 triumph over the Kentucky Christian University Knights in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. Thanks to the result, the Cavaliers improved to 4-7 (3-5 AAC) on the year.
 
A slow start hampered the Cavaliers in the opening minutes as Kentucky Christian (1-5-2, 1-5-1 AAC) pressured the visitors. Though both teams had chances in the initial moments, it was KCU who struck first, slicing through the Montreat defense to lead 11:13 into the game. Despite trailing, the Cavs utilized a pair of three-goal efforts by Jose Romero and Ricardo Araujo to come back and create separation.
 
The Cavs settled into the contest and began to hold possession as well as put opportunities toward the Knights' goal. Following shots off the goalposts midway through the frame, the Cavaliers found an equalizer from Romero. Oliver Nuno-Rodriguez and Hugo Rodriguez slotted balls through the middle of the pitch, eventually finding Romero up the right side. The Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain native coolly passed the ball into the back of the net to even the score in the 35^th minute.
 
Just three minutes before the intermission, Romero gave the Cavs their first advantage of the competition with his second goal in 11 minutes. Rodriguez beat a pair of Knights down the left flank and squared a ball through the box to an awaiting Romero, who tapped in the pass for Montreat's initial lead.
 
The Cavaliers held distinct advantages in most statistical categories at the break, including shots (17-7), shots on goal (13-6) and corner kicks (9-1).
 
A strong second period allowed the visitors to open up a multi-goal edge over the Knights as Romero completed his hat-trick only four minutes into the latter frame. Araujo dribbled through the midfield and played Romero into a breakaway situation. The freshman put the Cavs up 3-1 by one-timing the pass into the back of the net.
 
Araujo then scored his first of the night in the 55^th minute. He received a quick throw in from Rodriguez and sprinted past three KCU defenders before blasting the ball near post to make it 4-1. Just three minutes later, Araujo gave the Cavaliers a four-goal advantage. The Lisbon, Portugal native turned in the penalty area and, with a few nifty touches, beat a pair of Kentucky Christian defenders to score his second of the game.
 
After KCU made it 5-2 in the 66^th minute, Araujo became the second Montreat player with three goals in the contest. Araujo made a run down the left side, cut in on his favored right foot and scored at the near post to re-establish the Cavs' four-goal edge.
 
With only 3:13 remaining, the Cavaliers capped off their scoring with the team's seventh of the night. A central ball from Ethan Kerns and a cutting pass from Araujo let Ricardo Madan in on goal. The junior from Charlotte, N.C. took a left-footed shot across his body to beat the KCU keeper for the final goal of the matchup.
 
"The guys worked extremely hard in the second half after a slow first half," said head coach Michael Bruce. "It was good to see them play with some attacking quality and I look forward to seeing more of that in the upcoming games," he added.
 
Overall, the Cavs attempted 33 shots to the home squad's 11. Montreat put 25 efforts on frame, while KCU notched eight shots on goal. The Cavaliers also dominated the corner count, 12-2.
 
Men's soccer plays Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte in its next contest, a road matchup on Monday. Kickoff in Charlotte is slated for 4:00 p.m.