COLUMBIA, S.C.— The Montreat women's soccer team traveled to South Carolina for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) match against the Columbia International University Rams Wednesday afternoon. A slow first half by the Cavs allowed CIU to jump up 3-0 and ultimately take a 3-1 final as Montreat fell to 9-4 (8-3 AAC) with the result.
 
Looking the more dangerous side early in the match, the Rams capitalized on their first shot on target to immediately make the Cavaliers chase the game. Following a pair of tries off goal, CIU notched a 1-0 advantage in the 13^th minute as a forward slid the ball into the net from a sharp angle. Just 5:27 later, Columbia International doubled its edge after a collision by Montreat defenders left a gaping goal for the Rams to put home their second tally of the afternoon.
 
CIU (8-5-1, 7-4-1 AAC) continued to dominate the opening period, registering 11 of the opening 13 shots of the contest and collecting six of the game's first seven attempts on frame. The one-sided play resulted in a third score for the home team as the Rams grabbed a 3-0 advantage with seven minutes on the clock in the initial half.
 
Thanks to the barrage of possession and opportunities, the Rams outshot Montreat 15-3 through 45 minutes, including a 9-2 lead in shots on goal. CIU edged the Cavaliers 4-1 on corner kicks, while Logan White made six first-half stops in net.
 
A fairly uneventful portion of the competition occurred over the middle part of the second half, with the teams trading shots off target, throw ins and possession; however, each keeper was tested as well. Alex Chapman, who came in for White for the second frame, notched a pair of stops 12 and 15 minutes into the half, respectively, while Montreat forced as many saves from the Columbia International goalie.
 
For a solid stretch, the Cavs hemmed the Rams into their own side of the field. Three corner kicks and a few shots on goal grew momentum for the visitors as the Cavaliers pushed to break through. In the 84^th minute, Montreat did just that. Following a long-distance shot from JJ Aalbue, Kim Aalbue pounced on a rebound to cut the squad's deficit to just two with 6:38 to play.
 
Despite the late tally, Columbia International saw out its 3-1 result for its first win over the Cavs since 2016. The Rams outshot the Cavaliers 19-8, 12-7 on goal, and earned seven corners to Montreat's four. JJ Aalbue led the team in both shots (3) and shots on goal (2).

"[CIU] outworked us in the first half. We responded in the second half, but unfortunately 45 minutes out of 90 doesn't get the job done," said head coach Kristin Eggert.
 
Women's soccer now faces No. 20 Truett McConnell University in Georgia on Saturday. Kickoff is expected at 2 p.m.