BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— In an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) battle with the Columbia International University Rams at Pulliam Stadium Wednesday evening, the Montreat women's soccer team notched a 2-1 triumph to improve to 5-2 overall and an impressive 5-1 in AAC play.
 
Columbia International (4-2-1, 2-2 AAC) had an early attempt in the competition, but the shot from inside the box in the eighth minute flew wide and failed to trouble Logan White. That would be the only shot from the visitors in the opening period, as Montreat controlled possession from that point on in the first half.
 
The field tilted immediately toward the Cavaliers, who collected a trio of wide shots in the ensuing moments; however, an icebreaking tally was not far off.
 
In the 28^th minute, Sam Aalbue slotted a pass to Isabel Aguilar in the midfield following a strong threat of possession from the home team. Aguilar smartly took her first touch square with her right foot to elude a defender and fired a ball from 25 yards out that dipped just under the crossbar to put the Cavs up 1-0. The goal marked the Frostproof, Fla. native's first of the 2022 season.
 
Montreat failed to pot another goal in the first half despite a 7-1 advantage in shots and the only corner kick of the initial frame.
 
Early consistency in the latter period resulted in the Cavs' second strike of the afternoon in the 52^nd minute. Hayden Bunn received a pass at the top of the box, cut to her right and blasted a shot attempt that struck the left upright and caromed to the foot of Aguilar. Aguilar placed the shot on target and found the back of the net after a deflection to give the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead with her second of the afternoon.
 
"I think everyone put in the effort today," mentioned Aguilar on the team's performance. "Playing one and two touch soccer helped us pull out the win," she concluded.
 
Just 29 seconds after Montreat's second tally, CIU pulled a goal back to make it a one-goal contest with 28 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Though the Cavs gave up the shutout in the second half, the home team dominated the run of play, producing 16 shot attempts and four corners in the final 45 minutes. Columbia International pressed late; however, a diving stop by White on CIU's only dangerous chance with 4:30 left on the clock allowed Montreat to see out its 2-1 victory. White ended the day with a pair of saves to earn her fifth win of the season and secure the Cavaliers' fifth straight triumph, the third consecutive by a 2-1 scoreline.
 
Overall, the Cavs outshot the Rams 23-8 and registered a 5-1 advantage on corner kicks. The Cavaliers recorded eight shots on frame to CIU's mere three.
 
"Credit to the young women on this team. We've been moving the ball extremely well and we played some beautiful soccer tonight," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "We moved the ball in one and two touches, got supporting angles and layered in additional ways to be dangerous in our attack. People are buying in and believing in it, and we're being effective with it."
 
Women's soccer heads on the road to play at Tennessee Wesleyan University on Saturday. Kickoff is expected at 12:00 p.m.