MARIETTA, Ga.— The Montreat women's soccer team played its first road game of the 2023 regular season Saturday afternoon when the squad squared off against the Life University Running Eagles. As the two teams traded goals over the course of 90 minutes, the Cavaliers came up just short behind a last-minute goal, falling 3-2 on the day and dropping to 0-2 on the year.
 
JJ Aalbue forced a save just 18 seconds into the initial half, but the hosts created the day's first offensive fireworks. Coming from a free kick outside the right edge of the 18-yard box, the Running Eagles finished off a low cross at the 7:30 mark to open the scoring.
 
Life (1-1) continued to pressure the Cavs as the half progressed. Logan White made a trio of saves, and the Running Eagles struck the left post twice, both of which helped the visitors hang around as the frame neared its end. Thanks to those big stops and a few breaks, Montreat managed to capitalize and level the score in the 42^nd minute.
 
After the Cavaliers' initial pass was blocked, Sofia Brotherton dribbled down the right flank into open space. A native of Matthews, N.C., Brotherton notched her first assist of the young season as she picked out Charlotte Craver on a cross into the penalty area. Using her left foot, Craver calmly settled the ball and slotted a shot into the open net, knotting things up on the scoreboard with her initial tally of the year.
 
While the match entered halftime even at one, the Running Eagles took twice as many shots (13-6) as the Cavs; however, all six Montreat shots were placed on frame compared to five shots on goal from Life. The hosts owned a narrow 3-2 edge in corner kicks at the intermission.
 
Surging with momentum after the late first-half goal, the Cavaliers kept pressing and cashed in with another tally. Drawing a foul when being tripped up in the box, Aalbue converted from the penalty spot just 3:14 into the second frame for her initial goal as a Cav and the visitors' first lead of the afternoon.
 
Down 2-1, Life ratcheted up its offensive intensity, and it eventually paid dividends. Early in the half, White made a pair of saves while another shot hit the post; however, as the frame neared its end, the Running Eagles managed to score twice.
 
With 4:09 remaining in regulation, LU equalized with a long-range blast tucked just inside the upper left corner of the net. Then, with only four seconds left in the contest, Life utilized another strike from the top of the 18-yard box and placed the game-winning score into the left-side netting. Behind their two late tallies, the Running Eagles erased their deficit and defeated Montreat, 3-2.
 
"We had some great moments, like our first goal or Logan's performance in net," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "We are still looking for consistency across 90 minutes. I have to give Life credit for battling to the last second."
 
Following a 17-shot second half, Life ended the afternoon with a 30-11 advantage in shots attempted. The hosts also owned a 12-8 shots-on-goal edge and attempted seven corner kicks to the Cavaliers' two across 90 minutes of action. Aalbue placed four of her six shots on frame to lead the Cavs in both categories, and White registered nine saves.
 
The Montreat women's soccer team opens Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play next Saturday when it hosts Tennessee Wesleyan University. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.