MURFREESBORO, N.C.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team started its 2024 season with a trip to Murfreesboro, N.C. for a battle against the Chowan University Hawks Saturday afternoon. Though the Cavaliers led early, the visitors dropped a 19-11 decision to move to 0-1 on the year.
 
Chowan (2-0) registered the first two goals of the afternoon, but the Cavs scored three in a span of 2:11 to lead 3-2 through 15 minutes. Kate Gauntlett got Montreat on the board with 4:22 to go in the initial frame before Madison Terrell tallied the first goal of her career to knot the score at two. Gauntlett then put the visitors ahead 3-2 after one period.
 
In the second quarter, the Hawks flipped the script of the matchup, scoring five times to the Cavaliers' three. Terrell handed her team a 4-3 advantage; however, three straight goals from Chowan put the home side up 6-4 with 4:28 to go until halftime. Gauntlett and Terrell offset a Hawks goal to complete their hat tricks and pull the Cavs within one (7-6) through 30 minutes.
 
At the half, CU doubled up the Cavaliers in shot attempts (22-11), grabbed a lead in shots on target (17-9), forced more turnovers (17-11) and scooped up more ground balls (14-7). Montreat converted on three of its six free position attempts.
 
Chowan then took control of the competition by netting six of the seven goals in the third quarter. CU established a 10-6 edge before Gauntlett scored, but the Hawks added three more to lead 13-7 with 15 minutes remaining.
 
The Hawks eventually led by as many as nine, extending their edge with six more goals in the fourth. Terrell scored two goals in the frame to end with five, while Gauntlett notched her fifth and final tally midway through the period. Grace Wiegand recorded the first goal of her season to wrap up the scoring for Montreat. Ruthann Stout made 15 saves in her first collegiate match for the Cavaliers.
 
Overall, Chowan held control of most statistical categories, including shots (45-24), shots on goal (34-21) and ground balls (29-13). Despite the defeat, the Cavs registered more draw control victories (19-15), free position goals (5-1) and successful clears (12-11).
 
Women's lacrosse now plays No. 5 Life University on the road on Tuesday. Opening draw control is scheduled for 6 p.m.