CLEVELAND, Ga.— With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Montreat women's lacrosse team traveled down to Cleveland, Ga. on Wednesday for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup versus the Truett McConnell University Bears. Behind a big first quarter, the hosts took an early lead and never looked back en route to their 19-8 triumph. Following the defeat, the Cavaliers' record moved to 0-10 (0-4 AAC).
 
Truett McConnell (3-9, 1-3 AAC) proved responsible for all six goals in the opening frame. The Bears notched the game's initial tally less than 90 seconds into the period, and they tacked on five more strikes across the 15-minute quarter. Grace Wiegand placed a pair of shots on target, and Anna White did so once in the first; however, TMU's goalie stopped each attempt to preserve the 6-0 advantage.
 
Back-to-back goals for the home team increased Montreat's deficit to eight. Marley Smith halted Truett McConnell's run, though, registering an unassisted goal to get the Cavs on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for the visitors, momentum didn't leave the Bears' side. TMU poured in four additional goals before the half ended, and it entered the break with a 12-1 edge.
 
The Cavaliers got their offense going a bit in the third quarter, depositing a trio of shots into the back of the net during the period. Wiegand took a feed from White and scored just 39 seconds into the third. Meanwhile, Adara Vouriotis and Ailani Soto secured their first goals of the season as the frame progressed. Despite the offensive spurt, Montreat couldn't quite slow the hosts' attack. Truett McConnell scored four times in the third, and it maintained a 16-4 lead with one quarter to play.
 
Needing to score in a hurry, the Cavs delivered the first three tallies of the final period. Smith scored back-to-back goals during the opening 4:03, achieving a hat trick in the process. Vouriotis found the net roughly a minute later, pulling the visitors within 16-7 with 9:45 to go. TMU slowed Montreat's roll with a timeout, and the Bears came out on the other side of the stoppage with three consecutive strikes. Smith added a goal in the last minute of play, but Truett McConnell still sealed a 19-8 win.
 
As a team, TMU held a slight edge in draw controls (15-14) and ground balls (12-7). The Bears also owned advantages in shots (39-16), shots on goal (29-15) and free-position scores (3-0).
 
Smith paced her teammates with four goals, while White did the same with her seven draw controls. Vouriotis scored twice and dished out one helper. Wiegand totaled one goal and one assist. Tia Green corralled a team-best three ground balls.
 
Montreat remains on the road next Tuesday for an out-of-conference showdown at Catawba College. Opening draw control is set for 4 p.m. in Salisbury, N.C.