BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat women's soccer team kicked off the 2024-25 Montreat College athletic calendar Saturday evening by hosting an NAIA newcomer in the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers. Playing in-between a pair of lightning stoppages at Pulliam Stadium, the Cavaliers provided plenty of their own electricity on offense en route to a 5-2 nonconference triumph and a 1-0-0 record.
 
Following a scoreless initial 15 minutes, Charlotte Craver swiftly put the home side in front by two. Sam Aalbue pounced on a loose ball in the midfield to set up Craver's left-footed strike just 15:46 into the matchup. Then merely 2:17 later, Ellie Porter launched a pass over the SMC defensive line, giving Craver another one-on-one goal-scoring effort versus the keeper.
 
Sixteen seconds prior to the intermission, Leigh Harpel extended the Cavs' lead to three. A sequence of skilled passing between Kaylene Manternach, Jocelyn Stanley and Harpel allowed the freshman to blast a rocket into the netting for the 3-0 halftime edge.
 
Montreat maintained slight advantages over the Pioneers at the break, leading in both shots (9-7) and corner kicks (3-2). Logan White, who picked up the win playing all 45 minutes in net during the first half, made a trio of saves to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
 
Spartanburg Methodist (0-1-0) applied pressure right as the second half commenced, cutting the gap to 3-2 with goals just 1:05 and 9:36 into the latter frame. The visitors even nearly equalized when they struck the crossbar in the 67^th minute; however, some late offensive firepower from the Cavaliers ended any hopes of a Pioneer comeback.
 
Natalie Hall and Katie Burton picked up assists on Manternach's tally in the 72^nd minute, and Olivia Oenning put the match away for good with her first career goal in a Montreat kit.
 
Another bout of lightning and severe weather ended the contest with 6:27 remaining on the clock, sealing the Cavs' 5-2 season-opening victory in the process.
 
"It's always nice to open with a win, and to get on the scoresheet that much is a testament that we have some threats in the attack," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "Ultimately, I'm pleased with the result despite having to battle a little bit of weather."
 
The Cavaliers attempted five more shots overall (19-14) and on goal (10-5) than their counterparts. Montreat also notched one additional corner kick (7-6). Craver led the home team with a brace, and six different Cavs registered an assist in the win.
 
The Montreat women's soccer team hits the road for the first time in 2024 next Saturday for another out-of-conference showdown, this time against the Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. in Lawrenceville, Ga.