BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's soccer team grabbed its first win of the 2023 season in historic fashion Wednesday afternoon when the Cavaliers easily took care of the Kentucky Christian University Knights. With a 12-0 blowout win at Pulliam Stadium, the hosts' record improved to 1-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
 
Montreat controlled each second of the initial half against a 10-player KCU squad, slotting six shots into the back of the net for a 6-0 lead headed into the intermission. JJ Aalbue opened the scoring in the seventh minute when she headed home a bouncing cross from Kim Aalbue. Eight minutes later, Aalbue added another score after dribbling through traffic and rifling home a blast.
 
Sydney Jordan's first goal of the season pushed the Cavs' lead to 3-0 in the 25^th minute, but the major offensive outburst came in the 35^th minute. Jocelyn Stanley registered the first goal of her Cavalier career at the 34:12 mark, and Sofia Brotherton (34:25) and Sam Aalbue (34:56) each recorded goals within 44 seconds of Stanley's initial tally.
 
The second half started slower in terms of goal scoring, but the hosts made up for it during the final 20 minutes of action. Montreat followed up its 6-goal first half with another 6-goal frame starting in the 72^nd minute. Brotherton claimed her second tally to hand the Cavs a 7-0 advantage, and Charlotte Craver pushed that lead out to 8-0 exactly one minute later.
 
Olivia Kadans and Jamie White notched the first goals of their Cavalier careers late in Wednesday's match, while Craver and White finished off their braces to wrap up the scoring and secure the team's initial win of the year. Montreat's 12-0 victory featured its most goals in a single match, as well as its largest margin of victory in a match, since at least 2004.
 
"It was fun to get that first win with a little bit of an exclamation point and see a couple of players get their first collegiate goals today," said head coach Kristin Eggert.
 
Kentucky Christian (0-3-0, 0-2-0 AAC) failed to tally a shot attempt across 90 minutes of play, a defensive feat the Cavs achieved for the first time since Oct. 19, 2022 during a 3-0 win over Union College. Meanwhile, Montreat's 61 shot attempts are the program's most since at least 2004.
 
Eight different players scored for the hosts, including four (JJ Aalbue, Brotherton, Craver, White) who racked up two goals. All 24 eligible Cavaliers appeared during the 12-0 triumph.
 
Off this weekend, the Montreat women's soccer team looks to snag another conference victory next Wednesday at Bluefield University. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. in Bluefield, Va.