BLUEFIELD, W.Va.— Montreat College's women's soccer squad traveled to West Virginia to play the Bluefield University Rams in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup Wednesday afternoon. The Cavs triumphed over BU by a score of 3-0. With the victory, the Cavaliers improved to 6-6-1 overall and 5-4-1 in the AAC. Bluefield dropped to an overall record of 1-11-0 and a conference mark of 0-10-0.
 
The Cavs snatched control early, generating a series of opportunities thanks to Leigh Harpel and Rebeca Cruz Manon. They both tested the Rams' defense with aggressive shots. Katie Burton capitalized on a chance in the 16^th minute to score her first-ever goal for the Cavaliers. Montreat ended up registering 42 shot attempts, with 18 of those landing on frame, throughout the 90 minutes of play. The mark was the most shots in a game this year by more than double, and the most on target since the Cavaliers beat Carolina University on Sept. 23 with 14 shots on goal.
 
Montreat continued to apply pressure, with Harpel extending the lead just eight minutes later after a shot by Cruz Manon hit the crossbar. The tally was the first of the season for the sophomore from Crested Butte, Colo. Despite additional attempts from the Cavs, including shots by Roxy Galan-Gomez and Maggie Hypes that hit the post, the visitors went into the break ahead by two goals.
 
The second half opened with Montreat maintaining offensive pressure, as Cruz Manon and Sam Aalbue each tested Bluefield's goalkeeper with shots. The Cavaliers had the momentum in the half, and even after multiple attempts, including a Burton shot that was saved and another that hit the post, they were unable to extend their lead until the latter stages of the match.
 
The final breakthrough came in the 88^th minute when Burton found the back of the net again, solidifying Montreat's advantage. Bluefield did not have enough time to respond. Anna Weissenfluh made a stop at the end of the game to keep the Rams scoreless. Montreat closed the contest with a 3-0 victory.
 
Burton scored her first two goals in a Montreat uniform and took five shots, with three on target. Harpel added a goal and had eight shots, three of which were on frame. Hypes and Aalbue both contributed with four shots each, with one being on target. Cruz Manon led the team with nine shots and four tries on goal. Weissenfluh concluded with two saves and another clean sheet.
 
The Cavs recorded 21 shots in each half while Bluefield took all four of its shots in the second half. Eighteen Montreat shots found the frame, but BU had just two. The visitors were awarded three corner kicks to the Rams' single kick. The Cavaliers were whistled nine times for fouls while the hosts were called on for fouls five times.
 
"It is always great to grab three points on the road," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "Katie stepped up with her brace, and I loved being able to keep a clean sheet in the match."
 
Up next, the Cavs continue their road trip, this time going south to visit the Brenau University Golden Tigers. The AAC contest is set to begin at 5 p.m. in Gainesville, Ga.