BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat men's lacrosse team hosted the (RV) William Penn University Statesmen for its home opener Friday afternoon in Black Mountain, N.C. In the non-conference clash, the Cavaliers couldn't keep up with the Statesmen offense as the hosts dropped the matchup, 21-9. With the defeat, the Cavs fell to 0-2 on the young season.
 
William Penn (4-2) opened the scoring account just 1:24 into the matchup, the first of six consecutive Statesmen goals in the initial quarter. The visitors controlled the period, obtaining advantages in shots (21-2), shots on goal (12-2) and faceoffs (7-1) across 15 minutes of play.
 
Montreat found its way onto the scoreboard in the closing seconds of the first frame. After an errant William Penn pass conceded possession to the Cavaliers, Connor Walsh picked up the loose ball and set up Johnny Miles with a smart pass in front of the goal. Miles then whipped a shot into the netting with 18 seconds left on the clock for the Cavs' first goal of the season.
 
Like they did in the first quarter, the Statesmen scored the initial six goals of the second period to move ahead by 11 (12-1). Montreat's offense created more opportunities in the frame, however, as it registered 10 of its 12 first-half shots in the second. One of those shots found its way into the net as Walsh fed Grayson Scott in prime scoring position, setting up the Asheville, N.C. native for his first career goal.
 
After the Cavs brought the score to 12-2, William Penn tacked on four more goals during the final 2:32 to take a 16-2 lead into halftime. At the intermission, the Statesmen owned advantages in shots (46-12), shots on goal (31-7), faceoffs (19-1) and groundballs (38-17).
 
In a competitive second half, the Cavaliers outscored WPU over the final 30 minutes, 7-5. Walsh, who assisted on the first two Montreat tallies, scored his first goal just 2:19 into the third period. Miles notched his second score of the afternoon in the third as well, while Eli King and Ben Stephenson registered their first goals to pull Montreat within 21-6 entering the fourth frame.
 
The Cavs scored all three goals in the fourth, with each coming in the last three minutes of regulation. Scott, Stephenson and Walsh all snagged their second goals of the day to pull Montreat closer at 21-9, but the Statesmen still managed to claim victory at Pulliam Stadium as the clock showed zeroes.
 
William Penn concluded the day with 72 shots overall and 45 shots on goal, while the Cavaliers registered 23 and 15 in those same categories, respectively. The Statesmen won 28 of the game's 34 faceoffs and successfully cleared 10 of their 12 chances compared to the hosts' 9-for-23 performance.
 
Four Cavaliers scored a pair in the defeat, while Walsh's three assists paced the hosts in that department. Jay Chance stopped 24 shots in net for a .533 save percentage.
 
The Montreat men's lacrosse team returns to Appalachian Athletic Conference action on Sunday with a home contest against the No. 6-ranked Keiser University Seahawks. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.