BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The eighth-seeded Montreat College women's soccer team secured a commanding 3-0 victory over the No. 9 seed Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers on Tuesday in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament Play-In Game at Pulliam Stadium. With their second triumph of SMC this year, the Cavaliers extended their season and improved to 8-8-1 overall. Meanwhile, the visitors saw their year come to a close with a 6-9-4 record.
 
Montreat began the first half with regular offensive pressure, marked by an early corner kick from Leigh Harpel. The Cavs' persistent attacks resulted in several shots, including attempts by Natalie Hall and Sam Aalbue, though the Pioneers' goalkeeper made critical saves to keep the score level through the initial stages.
 
Momentum shifted in the 27^th minute when Aalbue headed home a Harpel corner, giving the hosts a 1-0 edge on the scoreboard. Continuing to press, Madelyn Schultz delivered a header that struck the crossbar late in the period. The frame ultimately concluded with Montreat holding a 1-0 advantage.
 
Like the first half, the second period started with the Cavaliers pressing forward, highlighted by several shot attempts that were either blocked or saved. Hall tested the Spartanburg Methodist goalie twice early on but could not find the back of the net. The breakthrough came in the 82^nd minute when Rebeca Cruz Manon finished off a brilliant run and pass from Hall for her seventh strike of the season. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native's tally doubled the hosts' lead with just 8:33 remaining.
 
Montreat continued to dominate possession, and with 2:10 to go, Aalbue sealed the victory. The senior notched her 12^th goal of the season on a stellar one-time volley following a feed from Cruz Manon. Any and every attempt SMC made to respond was thwarted by the Cavs' defense and goalkeeper Anna Weissenfluh. As a result, the match concluded with the home side capturing a 3-0 AAC Tournament win.
 
"Sometimes, it may take a little bit to get on the board, but goals change games, so it was great to be up 1-0 at half," said head coach Kristin Eggert. "We just kind of stuck with our game plan and our process, and then the final two goals followed."
 
Along with the scoreboard, Montreat also held the upper hand on the stat sheet. The Cavaliers attempted more shots (19-7) and landed more shots on target (9-2). The hosts also tallied five corner kicks to the visitors' three.
 
Aalbue scored two goals, including the game-winner, while placing three shots on target. Cruz Manon contributed one goal and one assist offensively. Harpel also registered an assist, and she took one shot. Hall added an assist and led the team with five shots, including two on frame. Weissenfluh made a pair of saves to help secure the squad's seventh shutout of the campaign.
 
Looking ahead, Montreat travels to Cleveland, Ga., to face off against the top-seeded and No. 11-ranked Truett McConnell University Bears. The AAC Tournament Quarterfinal is set for Saturday, Nov. 1 at a time yet to be announced.