BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's soccer team hosted an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) postseason match for the second consecutive season Saturday night, taking on the Brenau University Golden Tigers in a quarterfinal matchup in Black Mountain, N.C. After both sides scored a pair of goals in the opening half, Charlotte Craver's second-half score booked the Cavaliers' spot into the semifinal round with a 3-2 win. Montreat's record improved to 9-4-3 on the year thanks to the victory.
 
Following an uneventful opening 15 minutes of game time, the Cavaliers finally brought the action. Montreat scored twice in the 19^th minute, registering scores 18:00 and 18:49 into the contest to move in front of the Golden Tigers by two goals (2-0).
 
Hayden Bunn, who now leads the Cavs in goals scored with seven, forced a turnover in the midfield and started dribbling centrally toward goal. With no defender stepping in her path, Bunn whipped a strike from roughly 25 yards out and dipped it beneath the crossbar for the game's opening tally.
 
Just 49 seconds later, Montreat doubled its lead behind Craver's first collegiate goal. After a nice combination sequence between Isabel Aguilar and Zoe Frenier on the left side of the midfield, Frenier placed the perfect touch on a through ball in toward the 18-yard box. Craver ran after the ball in open space and, before the charging Brenau goalkeeper could get a hand to it, slotted a shot into the netting for the 2-0 edge.
 
Brenau (9-5-3) showed resilience in the latter portion of the second half, and its pressure resulted in a pair of goals in the 23^rd and 42^nd minutes to level the score. Despite Montreat's multiple-goal edge after 19 minutes of play, the two teams entered the halftime break tied at 2-2.
 
The Cavaliers owned a slight lead in shots at the intermission (5-4), while the Golden Tigers possessed a 2-0 corner-kick advantage. Both sides placed two shots on target through 45 minutes of play.
 
Craver picked up where she left off in the second half, putting the Cavs back on top 11:28 into the period. Sam Aalbue won the ball in the midfield and dribbled up the right flank into the attacking third. Aalbue then sent a right-footed cross into the box, which Craver settled and then guided inside the right post for the 3-2 lead.
 
"It was a great feeling to score my first collegiate goals," Craver exclaimed following the match.
 
Montreat dominated the second half after moving back in front of Brenau, outshooting the Golden Tigers by seven (8-1). Brenau's one chance to tie the match at 3-3 came on a breakaway with 6:48 left remaining in regulation; however, Logan White proved up to the task, making a chest-high stop, her lone save of the night. As a result, the Cavaliers preserved their 3-2 lead and claimed the AAC quarterfinal match over the visitors.
 
"Credit to Brenau for battling back after a pair of great goals from us," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "Our team rose in the second half to not only win the half, but also to win the match. I am proud of this group and how we have and will continue to battle."
 
Thanks to its second-half superiority, the Cavs wrapped up the contest with a 13-5 edge in shots, including 6-3 on target. Both Montreat and Brenau took four corner kicks on the night.
 
The Montreat women's soccer team now advances to the semifinal round of the AAC Tournament where it will face the No. 18-ranked Truett McConnell University Bears. Wednesday's kickoff time in Cleveland, Ga. is yet to be announced.