WALESKA, Ga.— The Montreat men's lacrosse team closed out its 3-game road trip Friday evening with an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) showdown versus the No. 1-ranked Reinhardt University Eagles. Aided by a strong start in Waleska, Ga., the top-ranked Eagles took down the Cavaliers, 35-4, a result that dropped Montreat to 1-10 overall and 0-4 in conference action.
 
Reinhardt (8-0, 5-0 AAC) cruised during the initial quarter of play, totaling all 10 goals in the frame. The hosts eventually registered the first 18 tallies of the contest as they seized an 18-0 lead midway through the second period.
 
Grayson Scott's ninth goal of the 2024 campaign got the Cavs on the scoreboard with 6:56 left in the first half; however, the Eagles rattled off nine consecutive strikes to enter the break on top, 27-1.
 
Feeling comfortable on its home turf, RU turned in a half in which it controlled the possession. Thanks to advantages in opponent turnovers (12-3), caused turnovers (8-0), faceoffs (22-6) and ground balls (39-6), the hosts were able to accrue significant edges in shots (53-6) and shots on goal (36-2). Josh Espinosa made nine saves through 30 minutes, while Scott recorded both Montreat tries on target.
 
The Cavaliers trimmed the gap to 25 on three occasions as they outscored the Eagles in the third quarter, 3-2. Johnny Miles started the scoring moments after the frame began, and Scott's second tally answered an RU goal from three minutes prior. After another Reinhardt strike, Justin Holland closed out the scoring in the third when he deposited a shot into the hosts' net, bringing the matchup to 29-4 with 15 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
RU returned to form in the fourth quarter, racking up all six goals to see out its 35-4 conference victory.
 
When the final horn sounded, the Eagles owned advantages in shots (91-16), shots on goal (57-6), faceoffs won (32-8), ground balls (60-12) and caused turnovers (18-1). Reinhardt also committed 20 fewer turnovers than the Cavs (24-4).
 
Scott led Montreat offensively with two goals, while Jay Chance notched the visitors' lone assist. Espinosa made a career-high 20 saves in 52:10, and Brandon Sandoval stopped two shots across 7:50.
 
The Montreat men's lacrosse team returns to Pulliam Stadium next Saturday for another AAC battle, this time against Life University. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.