COLUMBIA, S.C.— The Montreat men's soccer team visited the capital city of South Carolina Wednesday night for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup with the Columbia International University Rams. Behind a strong first half and a 3-0 final score, the hosts toppled the Cavaliers and dropped the visitors' record to 6-8-1 (5-5-0 AAC) on the year.
 
Columbia International (8-3-3, 6-3-2 AAC) didn't take long before breaking the scoreless deadlock exactly six minutes into the contest. Starting with a throw-in in their own half, the Rams launched a long ball over the top and then headed a pass down into the path of a charging attacker, who in turn polished off a tight-angle shot for the quick 1-0 lead.
 
Rodrigo Jimenez notched the Cavs' lone shot attempt of the opening frame in the 11^th minute, but with a defender on his hip, the Madrid, Spain native's look at goal trickled just wide of the left post.
 
The hosts doubled their advantage on the scoreboard late in the period with another sequence that began via a throw-in back in their own half. Five swift passes through the midfield presented CIU with a dangerous look at goal, and the Rams capitalized 7:50 prior to halftime.
 
Up by a pair of scores at the break, Columbia International controlled both the possession and shot attempts through 45 minutes of action. Marius Braedstrup-Holm registered the only two saves in the first half, but the Rams facilitated play by placing all six of their shot attempts on target while also owning a 5-1 corner kick edge.
 
Montreat ramped up its attacking pressure early in the second half, tallying a trio of shots in the first seven minutes. Coming off a Jimenez corner kick, Alex Klymenko recorded the visitors' first attempt on frame in the 51^st minute, but the header floated right into the arms of CIU's goalkeeper.
 
The Cavaliers had a couple of other decent looks at goal, with Marcos Santiago forcing a save in the 68^th minute and Zeljko Stanojevic ripping a free kick over the crossbar in the 76^th minute; however, Montreat never found its breakthrough. Columbia International added a late goal with just 76 seconds remaining in the match to close out a 3-0 triumph over the Cavs.
 
"I thought we played well in patches and were competitive tonight," said head coach Michael Bruce. We need to be more ruthless in both boxes to start picking up the wins we need down the home stretch of the season."
 
Ten of CIU's 11 shot attempts Wednesday night landed on target compared to just three of the Cavaliers' six looks at goal. The Rams also ended the evening with a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Braedstrup-Holm collected four saves in the effort, while Stanojevic (3) was the lone visitor to take more than one shot.
 
The Montreat men's soccer team remains on the road this weekend for its Saturday clash against Truett McConnell University. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. in Cleveland, Ga.