CENTRAL, S.C.— The Montreat men's soccer team made a trip to South Carolina to play the Southern Wesleyan University Warriors in a non-conference matchup Saturday afternoon. Looking for their first win of the year, the Cavaliers fell just short by a 2-1 scoreline as the team moved to 0-1-1 in 2023.
 
Early on, both squads fired shots at the opposing team's goal; however, neither side could find the back of the net. Each team attempted five shots, while SWU placed three of their tries on target compared to Montreat's mere one shot on frame midway through the initial period.
 
As the half wore on, the home side tilted the pitch in its favor, resulting in the opening tally. A Warrior was dragged down in the Cavalier box, and just 2:27 before halftime, SWU converted at the penalty spot to take a 1-0 advantage. The Warriors led 11-6 in shot attempts and 8-1 in shots on goal through 45 minutes of action. Marius Braedstrup-Holm kept Southern Wesleyan off the board in open play with seven first-half saves.
 
Two quick shots on goal from the Cavs put pressure on the SWU keeper in the latter half; however, it was the home side who found paydirt again. In the 51^st minute, Southern Wesleyan completed a swift passing play in the box to make it 2-0.
 
Not to be outdone, Montreat responded with an important tally, the Cavaliers' first goal of the 2023 season. A longball played forward produced a moment of brilliance as the offense connected with Miodrag Bankovic on the right wing. The junior settled the ball, cut in on his left foot and curled a floating shot from the corner of the box into the top left of the net, halving the visitors' deficit only 1:34 after the Warriors' second strike.
 
As the Cavs searched for an equalizer, Montreat created a few opportunities but couldn't supply a final finish. Southern Wesleyan controlled possession for most of the remainder of the second half in an attempt to run out the clock. Over the last 35 minutes of the match, the Cavaliers totaled four shots, just one on target, and the home side secured its 2-1 triumph.

"We are extremely disappointed to have lost this game," head coach Michael Bruce stated. "We showed flashes of being competitive, but more consistency is needed over the entire game. If we can match our talent with work rate, we will grow into the season," Bruce ended.
 
In the end, SWU outshot Montreat 24-14, including a 10-5 edge in shots on frame. Braedstrup-Holm concluded the match with eight saves, while Marcos Santiago led the team with four shots.
 
Men's soccer remains away from home for its next contest, a neutral-site match against Faulkner University on Wednesday. The game, which is set to kick off at 7 p.m., will be played at Life University in Marietta, Ga.