SPARTANBURG, S.C.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team kicked off its season with a competition against the Converse University Valkyries Wednesday night in South Carolina. Though the Cavaliers fell behind by multiple goals early in the game, the team nearly stormed back, eventually falling by a 17-15 scoreline to drop to 0-1 in 2023.
 
After neither team could convert on its initial possession, Kate Gauntlett notched the first goal of the season for the Cavaliers as she opened the scoring 2:35 into the contest. The Valkyries then tallied four of the ensuing five goals, separated only by Gauntlett's second goal of the matchup as the home side led 4-2 through 15 minutes.
 
In the second quarter, Converse (1-2) extended its lead to five (7-2), but Gauntlett fueled a 3-0 run that brought the Cavaliers back within two. Gauntlett capped off a hat-trick with 9:06 remaining and Dovie Yates scored under a minute later. With 1:34 on the clock, Mina Hicks registered her first goal of the year to make it 7-5.
 
CU, who led the shot category 21-12 at the break, responded with a pair of goals in 30 seconds as the Valkyries held a 9-5 edge with two frames to go. Kierra Stephens played a vital role in keeping the Cavs within striking distance by stopping eight Converse shots in net over the first 30 minutes alone.
 
Gauntlett recorded her fourth goal early in the third period; however, the home team expanded its advantage to six quickly. Though Montreat amassed its best offensive quarter of the game with six goals, Converse matched the total to lead by four (15-11) entering the final frame. Gauntlett tallied two goals in the quarter as did Aleea Bone, while Yates and Hicks each added one.
 
The Cavaliers followed their best offensive quarter up with their best defensive 15 minutes of the contest, setting the table for an exciting ending. Yates started the fourth with her third goal of the night to pull the visitors within three before Bone polished off her hat-trick with a free position shot 2:29 into the last quarter. Gauntlett brought her team within a single goal with 11:05 remaining, but the Valkyries extended their lead to two (16-14) 1:45 later. The Dawsonville, Ga. native added a seventh goal of the evening with 4:16 on the clock; however, it wasn't enough as Converse closed out the game with its final tally just 13 seconds later in a 17-15 decision.
 
Stephens made several saves in key moments, while holding CU's offense to just two goals in the fourth quarter. Overall, the goalie blocked 14 Valkyrie shots as the home side registered 10 more shots than the Cavaliers (37-27).
 
Women's lacrosse remains on the road for its next contest, a matchup with Ferrum College on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.