BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's soccer team hosted the Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies in a non-conference affair Saturday afternoon to begin its 2023 regular season. Despite taking an early lead at Pulliam Stadium, the Cavaliers couldn't overcome two second-half GGC tallies, falling by a 2-1 scoreline and dropping to 0-1 on the year in the process.
 
It didn't take long for the Cavs to open their scoring campaign as freshman Olivia Ostwalt capitalized on Montreat's first spell of dangerous possession. From inside the left edge of the 18-yard box, Ostwalt delivered the 11^th-minute opening blow, her first career goal, to hand the hosts a 1-0 edge.
 
While Georgia Gwinnett outshot the Cavaliers throughout the initial 45 minutes (8-4), Montreat managed to place more of its looks at goal on target (3-2). The first shot on goal found the back of the net, and the following two, both Sam Aalbue headers, nearly did as well. GGC goalkeeper Matilda Johansson made two saves, one with an outstretched right arm and the other diving to her left, to keep the visitors just a goal back at the break.
 
Logan White made a pair of comfortable saves prior to the intermission to keep the home side up by a goal. The Cavs attempted one more corner kick than the visitors (2-1), while the Grizzlies committed six fouls to the hosts' two.
 
Georgia Gwinnett (2-0) started the second half on the front foot and nearly equalized in the 57^th minute when a failed Cavalier clearance led to a last-ditch save from White; however, the GGC breakthrough came just six minutes later. A few spells of combination play coupled with clinical finishes saw the Grizzlies level the score in the 63^rd minute and seize a 2-1 lead in the 78^th minute.
 
Montreat almost found its second goal in the final four minutes of play. Over the span of 67 seconds, JJ Aalbue and Charlotte Craver placed a trio of shots on frame. Unfortunately for the Cavs, Johansson stopped all three shots, two of which involved diving saves. In the end, those late stops in net helped the visitors secure a 2-1 triumph at Pulliam Stadium.
 
"I am very excited for this season," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "While we didn't get the result today, we have several players looking dangerous in the attack. Also, congratulations to Olivia Ostwalt on netting her first collegiate goal."
 
With eight shots in each half, GGC held a 16-9 total shots edge over the hosts; however, Montreat owned a slight 7-6 advantage in shots on target. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies took seven corners compared to the Cavaliers' two.
 
The Montreat women's soccer team takes its initial road trip of the young season next Saturday as the squad battles Life University in another non-conference contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Marietta, Ga.

***Due to Georgia Gwinnett College playing an ineligible student-athlete, Montreat College later received a 1-0 forfeit win.