BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's soccer team began its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) schedule with a contest against the No. 20 team in the country, the Truett McConnell University Bears, at Pulliam Stadium Saturday night. Though the Cavaliers held the visitors off the board for the first half, TMU defeated the Cavs 2-0, dropping the team's record to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in AAC play.
 
A largely uneventful start to the contest saw each team with limited chances in the attacking third over the initial 15 minutes. Though Truett McConnell controlled much of the possession, the Bears only held a 3-2 advantage in shots midway through the opening half. Zoe Frenier had an opportunity off a giveaway from the TMU keeper in just the second minute, but the Orlando, Fla. native sent a long shot wide left. Keyla Perez-Rodriguez then sent a shot on frame in the ninth minute, forcing a save from the Bears.
 
Over the remainder of the first period, Truett McConnell hemmed Montreat into its own side of the field, producing a couple of dangerous chances; however, the Cavalier defense stood tall to keep the Bears off the board. The Cavs blocked a trio of shots from the top of the box in the 30^th minute, while Logan White recorded four saves to snuff out the additional attempts.
 
In the opening frame, TMU outshot Montreat 8-2, 4-1 on target. Truett McConnell registered the only corner of the first 45 minutes.
 
Despite a hard-fought initial period, TMU (2-2-1, 1-0 AAC) broke through thanks to a set piece in the 50^th minute. An outswinging free kick from the right wing found the head of a Bears forward, who placed the ball into the left side of the goal.
 
Sydney Jordan registered the Cavs' lone shot of the second half in the 77^th minute as the Johnson City, Tenn. native curled an attempt just wide of the left post.
 
As Montreat pressed forward looking for an equalizer, the Truett McConnell attack countered, doubling the squad's advantage in the 84^th minute. A giveaway in the defensive third allowed the Bears to slot home their second and final tally of the night.
 
Overall, TMU outshot the Cavaliers 16-3, 8-1 on frame. The Bears took both corner kicks in the matchup. White ended the competition with a game-high six saves in net as she thwarted the visitors' attack.
 
"I'm extremely proud of how we battled as a team tonight, from the energy on the sideline to the effort on the pitch," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "We competed with a top-20 program in the nation, which is where we want to be programmatically."
 
Women's soccer continues its season on the road at St. Andrews University on Wednesday. Kickoff in Laurinburg, N.C. is slated for 1:00 p.m.