GAINESVILLE, Ga.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team rode a hot start as the squad cruised to a 22-5 victory over the Brenau University Golden Tigers on the road Saturday afternoon. Not only did the Cavaliers move to 6-4 (2-2 AAC) on the year with the triumph, but they also broke the program's record for the most wins in a single season.
 
Montreat dominated play from the outset of the competition, scoring the first five goals of the contest in only 2:09 of game time. Kate Gauntlett, who leads the country in scoring, notched four goals, while Izzy Knight added a goal over the span.
 
After the Golden Tigers (0-9, 0-3 AAC) got a goal back, the Cavaliers went on another run, this time collecting seven straight from five different players to end the first quarter. The Cavs led 12-1 through 15 minutes thanks to a 13-2 edge in shots and a 9-5 advantage in draw controls.
 
Draw controls played an important part in the visitors' success; however, when Montreat failed to get control of the draw, the Cavaliers forced turnovers to gain possession and turn those possessions into offensive chances.
 
At the half, Montreat led the Golden Tigers 13-3 and held advantages in every offensive statistical category including attempted shots (21-6), shots on goal (18-4), draw controls (11-7) and ground balls (6-3). The team also performed well defensively by stunting the Brenau offense with caused turnovers (5-2) and turnovers in general, a category that the Cavaliers held a 15-7 edge in at the break.
 
The Cavs then controlled the entirety of the second half, recording nine consecutive goals to lead 22-3 with 2:28 left in the contest. Though Brenau added a pair of late goals like it did in the first half, Montreat saw itself to the historic 17-goal victory.
 
Gauntlett finished with at least 10 points for the fifth time this season, scoring seven goals and collecting a trio of helpers. Knight ended her afternoon with seven points thanks to five goals and two assists, while both Aleea Bone and Mina Hicks each netted four goals. Hannah Jarboe potted a pair of goals to round out the scoring for the visitors. Hicks added two assists and Bone registered one along with Sydney Chivers and Kristen Wilson.
 
The Cavaliers ultimately outshot their opposition 38-13, 29-8 on frame, while forcing the home side into 22 turnovers. Carlie Henning made three saves in net for Montreat as she secured the triumph.
 
Women's lacrosse looks to further improve on its record-breaking year as the team faces Tennessee Wesleyan in conference play on Tuesday. Game time in Black Mountain, N.C. is currently slated for 6:00 p.m.