BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team hosted the No. 3-ranked Keiser University Seahawks in a non-conference matchup on Thursday night, putting forth a noteworthy effort that featured a Montreat single-season record while ultimately falling to the NAIA's reigning national champions, 26-14. With the defeat in Black Mountain, N.C., the Cavaliers slid to 7-5 on the season.
 
Keiser (7-2) controlled the possession in the game's first quarter, and it resulted in an early Seahawks score. But despite Keiser holding the ball for extended stretches, the Cavaliers proved to be lethal on the break.
 
Two counter opportunities in the initial frame saw Montreat surging, and the Cavs capitalized on the athleticism of its star attacker. Kate Gauntlett, who entered the night just four goals shy of matching Izzy Knight's single-season record (66), registered tallies at the 9:52 and 8:32 marks thanks to effective setups by Mina Hicks and Hannah Jarboe.
 
Nearly halfway through the first quarter, Montreat held a 2-1 lead; however, the one-score advantage was short-lived. Keiser responded with a flurry of goals, whipping four into the back of the Cavaliers' net to jump back in front, 5-2, with 3:33 left in the opening quarter.
 
Gauntlett recorded a hat trick in the first period thanks to her second connection with Hicks. With just 33 seconds remaining in the quarter, the Arizona State transfer fired a missile past the Keiser goalkeeper, drawing the Cavs within two (5-3) after 15 minutes of play. Gauntlett then matched the Montreat single-season record for goals scored early in the second frame with her fourth of the night, this time a player down, to pull the Cavaliers to within 5-4.
 
Twenty-seven seconds later, Knight's first of the game capped off a 3-0 Montreat run to tie the contest at five with 11:55 remaining in the first half.
 
Keiser scored four of the game's next six goals, offsetting strikes by Jarboe and Knight to lead 9-7 midway through the frame; however, it was the game's next goal that caught the headlines.
 
Gauntlett made history at the 5:18 mark of the second quarter. Her fifth goal of the night not only trimmed the Montreat deficit back to one (9-8), but it also was her 67^th tally of the season, breaking the program record for goals scored in a single season.
 
"As talented as Kate [Gauntlett] is, her dedication is just as high, if not higher," said head coach Tom Flynn. "For her to go out and achieve that goal already in this point of the season is a tribute to her hard work and dedication. She's a great person, and it's a pleasure to coach her every day."
 
Despite the momentous goal, it was the Seahawks who seized control as the half ended. Keiser scored six goals over 4:12, capping off their 10-goal frame to lead 15-8 entering halftime.
 
The Seahawks held considerable edges in shots (31-13), shots on goal (23-11) and free position scores (5-1) at the halftime break, but the Cavaliers were quite competitive in several other areas, trailing the No. 3-ranked team in the NAIA by slim margins in ground balls (14-10), turnovers (12-9) and draw controls (14-11).
 
Gauntlett led Montreat with five goals at the break and joined Hicks to pace the squad with two assists. Knight had two scores through two frames, while Carlie Henning made eight saves to keep the Cavaliers within shouting distance.
 
Aleea Bone registered her 31^st tally of the season in a flash, scoring just 12 seconds into the third quarter to pull Montreat within 15-9; however, the Seahawks once again lit up the scoreboard, recording five of the next six goals to double up Montreat, 20-10, by the 8:15 mark. Jarboe was responsible for Montreat's lone goal during Keiser's strong run of play.
 
Gauntlett and Bone managed to score just 30 seconds apart to cut their deficit to eight, but the Seahawks answered with two goals of their own to enter the final quarter leading 22-12.
 
Keiser outscored the Cavaliers in all four quarters, including the final frame (4-2). Gauntlett, who leads the NAIA in goals (70) and points (99), recorded Montreat's two tallies in the period as the Cavaliers fell to the reigning national champions, 26-14.
 
The Seahawks doubled up the Cavaliers in shots taken (52-26) and shots on goal (41-20) while holding small advantages in ground balls (24-20), turnovers (21-15) and draw controls (24-20). Keiser went 8-14 on its free position shots, and Montreat converted on four of its seven free position strikes.
 
Knight, Bone and Jarboe each tallied two goals on the night, while Gauntlett paced Montreat with eight goals and three assists. Henning played 46:46 in net, making 13 saves. Kierra Stephens stopped two shots in her 13:14 in goal.
 
The Montreat women's lacrosse team closes out its three-game homestand on Wednesday when it hosts Warren Wilson College in a non-conference affair. Play is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.