BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— Opening its 2024 regular season slate Wednesday evening, the Montreat men's soccer team played host to the Johnson & Wales University (N.C.) Wildcats in a nonconference affair at Pulliam Stadium. While the Cavaliers fell behind first, they punctuated the contest with a match-winning goal in the final 30 seconds to seize an exhilarating 4-3 win in their season and home opener.
 
JWU Charlotte (0-1-0) made a trio of key saves in the opening minutes to keep the hosts off the scoreboard. That ultimately allowed the visitors to break through with the initial goal 16:59 into the matchup.
 
Undeterred, Zeljko Stanojevic leveled the ballgame at 1-1 just 10 minutes later. After leading the Cavs in both goals and points during the 2023 season, Stanojevic opened Montreat's scoring account in 2024. Predrag Grbovic won a loose ball on the edge of the attacking third, ultimately setting the stage for Stanojevic's right-footed strike.
 
Despite the Cavaliers picking up a red card in the 29^th minute, neither side managed to find the back of the net during the remainder of the first half. The Cavs attempted more shots (7-4) and shots on goal (5-1) through 45 minutes, while each squad registered one corner kick.
 
Stanojevic took his turn setting up a tally merely 3:19 into the second half when he delivered a rocket that forced a diving save. Fortunately for Montreat, Jeremy Villa-Osornio was there to pounce on the free ball in the box, and he capitalized by handing the home team its first lead of 2024.
 
The Cavaliers' advantage lasted until the 70^th minute when JWU Charlotte answered with a pair of goals 3:06 apart. Suddenly up 3-2 and with the hosts down a man, the Wildcats entered the final 10 minutes with confidence and momentum; however, Villa-Osornio quickly changed things with 6:08 left on the clock.
 
Felipe Pereira and Ethan Kerns gave the Cavs a chance by delivering the ball to Villa-Osornio near the left edge of the 18-yard box. Already with one tally under his belt, Villa-Osornio whipped a curler just inside the right post, tying the score at 3-3 in the late stages.
 
Montreat wasn't finished, though. From a little over 25 yards out and with only 26 seconds remaining in the match, Grbovic bent a free kick just over the visitors' wall and into the upper right corner of the frame. With his strike, Grbovic secured a thrilling 4-3 Cavalier triumph.
 
"I think playing with 10 men for 60 minutes was an extremely hard ask for our guys," said head coach Michael Bruce. "They showed great character. If we can apply that same character and work ethic to games when we're playing 11-v-11, we'll have a very good season this year."
 
Frankie Zavala recorded one save and picked up the win in net after subbing in at halftime. Three different Cavs scored a goal, while four totaled an assist. The Cavaliers also closed out the night with statistical advantages across the board, including shots (24-12), shots on goal (10-4) and corner kicks taken (8-5).
 
Montreat takes a Labor Day weekend trip down to Florida for its next two nonconference matches. The Cavs get things started on Saturday at 7 p.m. with a clash versus the Warner University Royals.