BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team faced the No. 1 team in the NAIA Wednesday evening, taking on the University of the Cumberlands Patriots at Pulliam Stadium. Despite a goal from the home side, the Patriots dropped the Cavaliers' record to 3-7 overall and 2-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play thanks to a 21-1 scoreline.
 
Cumberlands (12-1, 1-1 AAC) took nearly six minutes to break the ice in the matchup, but the Patriots struck twice in 11 seconds to go up 2-0. The visitors then went on to tally all nine goals of the first quarter as UC led 9-0 through 15 minutes.
 
A large disparity in draw controls (14-3) helped Cumberlands expand its advantage to 14-0 in the second frame. Though the Patriots held Montreat to a single shot on goal in the first half, Madison Terrell's 31^st goal of the season made it 14-1 at the intermission.
 
UC registered edges in most statistical categories, including shot attempts (24-2), shots on target (18-1), ground balls (15-7), opposing team turnovers (15-10) and caused turnovers (11-0) entering the latter half. Both teams successfully cleared five times, Ruthann Stout notched four first-half saves for the Cavs in net and Adara Vouriotis collected a team-best three ground balls through 30 minutes of action.
 
The Cavs slowed the Patriots' attack in the third and fourth quarters; however, the home side couldn't muster up any offense itself as UC caused a plethora of turnovers. Ultimately, Cumberlands netted a trio of goals in the third and four in the final period to secure its 21-1 victory.
 
Individually, Stout concluded with seven saves and a team-high five ground balls. Grace Wiegand led Montreat with three draw controls. As a team, the visitors outshot the Cavaliers 35-3, 28-1 on frame, while holding sizable edges in ground balls (28-14), draw controls (19-7), turnovers by the opposition (30-20) and caused turnovers (22-0). Successful clears were 12-10 in favor of the Patriots.
 
Women's lacrosse looks to bounce back when the Cavs host the fifth of their six consecutive home contests on April 6 against the Georgetown College Tigers. Opening draw control in Black Mountain, N.C. is scheduled for 1 p.m.