BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team conquered the Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at Pulliam Stadium in Black Mountain, N.C. Thanks to the 21-4 triumph, which was the Cavaliers' largest victory margin of the season, the hosts' record climbed to 3-6 overall.
 
Montreat set the tone for the contest early, tallying all five goals in the initial quarter of play. Grace Wiegand, who registered a hat trick in less than 11 minutes, opened the scoring merely 11 seconds into the matchup. Madison Terrell and McKinley Edmondson also deposited shots into EOU's net, and the Cavs maintained a 5-0 advantage through 15 minutes.
 
The home side continued its dominant stretch as its edge ballooned to 12-0 with only 6:09 remaining in the half. Hannah Jarboe collected a trio of goals in the frame, while Edmondson finished up her hat trick before the intermission. Terrell and Alex Chapman also recorded strikes during the goal-scoring spree.
 
Eastern Oregon (0-7) etched a goal onto the scoreboard shortly before halftime, but the Cavaliers were in the driver's seat across nearly all levels. Montreat utilized first-half advantages in shots (19-9), shots on goal (16-6), draw controls (11-4), caused turnovers (4-0), successful clears (10-7) and free-position goals (3-0) to create its 12-1 lead midway through the game. Jarboe, Edmondson and Wiegand all had hat tricks in the first half, while Ruthann Stout made five saves in net.
 
The visitors scored on two occasions in the third quarter, but the Cavs still outscored their opposition, 6-2. Terrell became the fourth Cavalier to achieve a hat trick as she, Edmondson and Wiegand each found the back of the net twice during the frame. As a result, the hosts entered the final quarter in front by 15 (18-3).
 
EOU struck first in the final period, but Edmondson and Jarboe wrapped up the scoring with three unanswered goals to claim a 21-4 non-conference win. The 17-goal margin marked the largest victory of 2024 for the Montreat women's lacrosse program.
 
"We facilitated the ball on offense well and set each other up for success," said head coach Kayla Bone. "McKinley stepped up and did a great job setting the tone for us on offense, and Ruthann did a great job setting the tone on defense. Today was a great team win."
 
Shots (34-13), shots on goal (29-10), draw controls (18-10), clears (16-11), free-position scores (4-1), caused turnovers (7-1) and ground balls (21-13) all heavily favored the Cavs after 60 minutes. Edmondson accrued career-highs in goals (6) and assists (3), while Wiegand and Jarboe totaled five goals apiece. Terrell contributed four tallies in the win, and Stout finished with six saves.
 
"Everyone did a great job, and we were all working together in transition," Edmondson said. "Everything clicked well. The draw controls were good, and we drove whenever we had the opportunity."
 
The Montreat women's lacrosse team resumes conference competition on Wednesday when it hosts the No. 1-ranked University of the Cumberlands Patriots. Opening draw control is set for 5 p.m. at Pulliam Stadium in Black Mountain, N.C.