BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— As part of Homecoming & Family Weekend on Saturday, the Montreat women's soccer team played host to the University of Pikeville Bears in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action. The visitors managed to scratch across the lone goal of the afternoon late in the first half, and the Cavaliers fell to 3-3-1 (2-1-1 AAC) on the year.
 
Natalie Hall placed the first shot on frame 11:40 into the matchup, but the Bears notched the initial tally. Anna Weissenfluh stopped the first attempt she faced in net; however, a trio of corner kicks in quick succession resulted in enough pressure to create UPIKE's breakthrough. Pikeville (4-1-1, 3-0-1 AAC) grabbed a 1-0 lead with 9:08 remaining in the first half, and it took that advantage into the intermission.
 
At the break, the visitors owned edges in shots (9-4) and corner kicks (3-1).
 
Montreat facilitated play in the second half as it searched for an equalizer. The Cavs more than doubled the Bears in shot attempts (12-5) through the latter 45 minutes, but they couldn't find the game-tying strike. Hall and Leigh Harpel had attempts stopped by the UPIKE goalie, while Rosza Williford's 75^th-minute header was cleared off the goal line by a defender.
 
In the end, Pikeville left Pulliam Stadium with a 1-0 conference win.
 
Statistically, the hosts held the upper hand in shots (16-14) and shots on goal (6-3), while both teams registered six corner kicks. Weissenfluh and Logan White each made one save during their 45 minutes in goal.
 
Montreat goes on the road Wednesday afternoon to take on the Reinhardt University Eagles in conference play. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. in Waleska, Ga.