TIGERVILLE, S.C.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team opened its 2025 season Wednesday evening with a nonconference clash against the North Greenville University Trailblazers, an NCAA Division II program. On the road in Tigerville, S.C., the Cavaliers couldn't keep up with the hosts as they dropped a 23-3 final and fell to 0-1 to start the year.
North Greenville (1-0) scored the initial goal of the contest after 4:10 had passed, and it capitalized on that offensive spark to vault in front of the visitors. The Trailblazers notched eight tallies in the opening quarter while outshooting their counterparts, 17-0.
While not quite as prolific offensively during the second, the hosts rattled off five straight scores to push their advantage up to 13-0.
Ruthann Stout, who played primarily as a goalie and a defender last season, registered the first goal of her collegiate career with just 30 seconds remaining in the first half. Despite the tally, NGU still maintained a 13-1 lead entering the intermission.
Like the first quarter, North Greenville proved responsible for all the scoring during the third frame. The Trailblazers recorded a trio of goals within the initial few minutes of the half, and they seized a 19-1 lead prior to the start of the fourth period.
Grace Wiegand found her way onto the scoresheet midway through the final quarter, and freshman
Marley Smith deposited a free-position attempt into the back of the net roughly two-and-a-half minutes later; however, NGU added four more strikes across the last 15 minutes, and it captured a 23-3 victory once the clock ran out.
"Our women fought hard today," said head coach
Kayla Bone. "With our team being young, we're learning, and we need these games to prepare us for conference play. I'm proud of how hard they worked, and we will continue to work hard and grow from here."
The hosts finished the night with important edges in shots (45-6), shots on goal (35-4), draw controls (24-3) and ground balls (13-1).
Tayah Quinn made 12 saves in her goalkeeping debut with the Cavs.
Montreat remains on the road for its next competition, a nonconference contest on Feb. 15 versus Webber International University. Opening draw control is slated for 11 a.m. in Babson Park, Fla.
