BLUEFIELD, W.Va.— The Montreat women's soccer team notched its second victory of the season as the Cavaliers traveled to West Virginia for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) match against the Bluefield University Rams. Thanks to a consistent team effort, the Cavs notched a 5-0 triumph and improved to 2-3 (2-1 AAC) on the year.
 
Montreat hemmed an inferior Bluefield side in its own half from the start, creating promising chances in the opening moments. The first set piece the Cavaliers earned, a corner in the 11^th minute, paid dividends as an unclaimed bouncing ball in the box was put home by JJ Aalbue to break the ice.
 
The visitors continued to press forward, doubling their advantage in the 32^nd minute. Aalbue netted her second goal of the day after her shot from the left side of the penalty area ricocheted off a defender and the ground a couple times, rolling past a frozen BU keeper in the process.
 
Though Montreat didn't score again in the first half, due to the lopsided period the Cavaliers kept their opposition without a shot attempt, outshooting the Rams 15-0, 11-0 on goal, through 45 minutes. The Cavs also tallied all three corner kicks in the initial frame.
 
In the second half, Montreat immediately stretched its lead to three as Kim Aalbue scored her first goal of the 2023 campaign with a strike in the 51^st minute. Following a run through several BU defenders, JJ Aalbue slipped a pass to her sister, who slotted home the team's third goal at the start of the latter period.
 
A pair of quick goals then helped the Cavs extend their advantage further as the visitors struck twice in 70 seconds. A foul called in the box resulted in the fourth Cavalier goal as Sydney Jordan placed the ensuing penalty kick into the net with 20:52 remaining before Jamie White cleaned up a rebound in the 71^st minute to collect her third goal of the season and round out the scoring.

"I was really pleased with our efforts," head coach Kristin Eggert noted. She added, "We were hunting for the goal and had some great combination play. Every player on the field contributed tonight."
 
Montreat outshot Bluefield (0-6-1, 0-4 AAC) 25-2 as the hosts put their two shots on target. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers collected 20 tries on frame. Alex Chapman stopped both of BU's shots to record her first career saves after coming on in the second half.
 
Women's soccer continues its season with another road matchup at Pikeville on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.