ATHENS, Tenn.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team traveled to Tennessee for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) battle against the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs on Saturday. After taking an early lead, the Cavaliers rolled to a 17-13 triumph, improving to 2-2 (2-0 AAC) during the 2023 season.
 
Though Tennessee Wesleyan (0-4, 0-2 AAC) scored first just 49 seconds into the contest, the Cavs responded with a Mina Hicks goal to even the game. TWU struck twice more in the opening period; however, Hannah Jarboe, Kate Gauntlett and Aleea Bone answered the call to help Montreat lead by two (5-3) through 15 minutes.
 
The second quarter ended up being controlled by the Cavaliers, who outscored the Bulldogs 4-1 in the frame to go up 9-4 at the break. Gauntlett registered three goals in the second quarter to captain all players with five first-half tallies, while Bone added the other Montreat goal in the period.
 
At the half, Montreat dominated in most statistical categories, including total shots (19-9), shots on goal (14-5), draw controls (11-4) and ground balls (10-8).
 
Dovie Yates and Hicks brought the advantage to seven (11-4) early in the third quarter, and, though Tennessee Wesleyan recorded four of the last five goals in the frame to outscore the Cavs 5-4, Gauntlett and Bone kept the visitors ahead by four (13-9) entering the final 15 minutes.
 
Izzy Knight and Yates offset a pair of TWU goals early in the last quarter, including the fourth and final man-up strike for the Cavaliers, to hold the edge at four (15-11) midway through the period. Despite two more Bulldog goals that pulled the home side within two with 5:24 remaining, Gauntlett and Yates iced the 4-goal triumph by scoring the final two goals of the competition in the win.
 
Montreat utilized possession to secure its victory. The Cavs won 22 of 34 draw controls, cleared successfully on all of their 18 attempts and converted on four of their six man-up opportunities. The visitors also tried more shots overall (32-21), placed more shots on goal (25-16) and earned more free position attempts (9-4) than their counterparts on the day.
 
Gauntlett led the team in both goals (7) and assists (4), recording her second-consecutive double-digit point total (11). Bone and Yates each added a hat trick and a helper to the Cavalier offense, while Kierra Stephens stopped three shots in net. Yates notched a game-high 16 draw controls in the contest.
 
Women's lacrosse looks to extend its win streak to three when the Cavaliers host Thomas More on Tuesday. Opening draw control at Pulliam Stadium is slated for 6:00 p.m.