BARBOURVILLE, Ky.— The Montreat women's soccer team grabbed its fourth straight road win of the season Wednesday evening when the Cavaliers defeated the Union College Bulldogs by a 3-1 scoreline. With the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) victory in Barbourville, Ky., the Cavs improved to 5-4-0 (5-2-0 AAC) on the year.
 
A pair of first-half goals, one early and one late in the frame, put the visitors in prime position to take all three points. In the sixth minute, JJ Aalbue's initial strike was saved, but eight seconds later, Olivia Ostwalt capitalized on the chaos and slotted home her third tally of the season just 5:17 into the match.
 
Following more than a half-dozen tries at net throughout the ensuing 34 minutes, Montreat finally secured its second goal merely 3:56 prior to the halftime break. Like the initial score, Aalbue attacked the Union defense and forced the Bulldogs' goalkeeper to make a save. Nine seconds later, Jamie White polished off her fifth goal of the 2023 campaign, handing the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead at the intermission.
 
In a one-sided half of action, the Cavs held their opposition without a single shot attempt. Meanwhile, the visitors attempted 11 shots of their own and placed six on target.
 
Ostwalt captured the first brace of her young Montreat career less than 10 minutes into the second half, once again thanks in part to Aalbue. The Winona Lake, Ind. native played Ostwalt into open space on the left flank with a smart pass through traffic. There, Ostwalt took a couple of dribbles and lined a shot from the left edge of the 18-yard box into the right side of the net, pushing the visitors' lead out to 3-0.
 
Union (3-7-0, 3-4-0) managed to etch its way onto the scoreboard in the 72^nd minute with its lone shot attempt of the evening, but the damage was already done as the Cavs cruised to their fourth consecutive road win with a 3-1 triumph.
 
"Our possession, overall, was excellent," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "We are creating dangerous opportunities and causing opponents to fatigue as we move the ball side to side."
 
Montreat dominated the Bulldogs across the board, owning substantial advantages in shots (27-1), shots on goal (14-1) and corner kicks (6-0) by the match's conclusion. Aalbue and Ostwalt, who each registered Cavalier career-bests with nine and eight shot attempts, respectively, combined for 17 of the visitors' 27 looks at goal.
 
The Montreat women's soccer team returns to Pulliam Stadium on Saturday for the start of a 3-match homestand. Kickoff between the Cavs and Johnson University (Tenn.) is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.