BANNER ELK, N.C.— The Montreat women's lacrosse team visited Banner Elk, N.C. Wednesday evening for a showdown against the Lees-McRae College Bobcats. In the clash between NAIA and NCAA Division II programs, the Cavaliers landed on the wrong side of a 26-16 scoreline and dropped to 0-5 overall.
Grace Wiegand opened the scoring with a man-up goal merely 45 seconds into the matchup. After Lees-McRae (1-2) answered with a pair of tallies, Wiegand notched her second goal, this time assisted by
Marley Smith, to even the score at 2-2 through 3:48.
The Bobcats notched four of the final six strikes in the opening quarter, seizing a 6-4 lead through 15 minutes of play. Both of the Cavs' final two goals in the period came via free position shots from the stick of Smith.
Ruthann Stout registered her third goal of the season on a free position attempt less than three minutes into the second frame. Smith and Wiegand continued to flex their offensive prowess as well, already achieving hat tricks in the first half to keep the visitors within 10-7 midway through the quarter; however, LMC ended the period on a roll. The hosts recorded six of the final seven goals, and they entered the intermission on top, 16-8.
Smith converted on a pair of free position chances, while Wiegand racked up two goals of her own during the third frame. Despite slashing the deficit to six (17-11) by the midpoint of the period, Montreat couldn't continue to cut into the gap. Lees-McRae finished the quarter on a high note, pouring in five of its six third-quarter goals across the final 6:38. As a result, the Bobcats grew their lead to 22-12 by the start of the fourth.
Montreat's dynamic duo didn't let up, with both Wiegand and Smith reaching career-highs in goals scored. Wiegand scored twice, bringing her tally on the night to eight. Meanwhile, Smith deposited another shot into the LMC net, lifting her total to seven goals. For the fourth consecutive frame, the Cavaliers managed to score four times. The home side scored four of its own, though, allowing it to close out a 26-16 victory over the visitors.
The Bobcats attempted 10 more shots (41-31) and placed 10 more looks on frame (35-25) than their counterparts. Lees-McRae also owned the edge in draw controls (28-16), ground balls (10-4) and free position shots (8-5), and it committed four fewer turnovers (13-9).
Wiegand accumulated eight goals and two assists in her career-high 10-point performance. She also led the squad with a personal-best 11 draw controls. Smith added seven goals and an assist of her own, while Stout's goal was unassisted.
Tayah Quinn made nine saves in net.
Montreat opens Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Saturday with a trip to Georgetown College. Opening draw control is slated for 1 p.m. in Georgetown, Ky.
