BARBOURVILLE, Ky.— The Montreat College women's soccer team continued its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) slate by traveling to the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs in a Wednesday afternoon contest. The visitors secured their first win of the campaign thanks to a strong second-half performance. Montreat improves to 1-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in AAC play with the victory. With the loss, Union fell to 0-5-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the conference.
The first half kicked off with the Cavaliers establishing an early advantage, highlighted by
Sam Aalbue's successful penalty kick in the 18
th minute, marking her second goal of the season. Montreat's offense was active, as
Katie Burton and
Rozsa Williford each tested Union's keeper, while the defense fought hard to maintain the 1-0 lead. Despite several fouls committed by the Cavs, they held firm defensively, ending the half on top 1-0.
At the break, Montreat had nine shots to UCU's seven. The Cavaliers registered four shots on goal while the home team recorded one in the half. Not a single squad earned a corner kick in the opening period.
In the second frame, Montreat extended its lead in the 52
nd minute. Burton laced a shot on goal that was saved, but not far enough as
Kaylene Manternach was there for the rebound, and the senior found the back of the net. The Bulldogs responded, cutting the deficit shortly after. Aalbue secured the three points in the 78
th minute after heading in a lofted pass from a free kick taken by
Maddie Ellis, bringing the final score to 3-1.
Together, the Cavaliers tallied 17 shots, with nine of them on target. Union ended with 15 shots, five of them on frame. The hosts had more corner kicks than the visitors after 90 minutes (2-1). Montreat also committed 18 fouls to the Bulldogs' 14.
Manternach scored the game-winning goal with her only shot on target. Aalbue contributed significantly by scoring twice from four shots, with three attempts on goal, including the penalty kick. Burton provided one assist while also taking three shots, with one landing on target. Goalkeeper
Anna Weissenfluh made four saves against five shots on goal in the match.
"That was a team win," said head coach
Kristin Eggert. "It was crucial to get three points on the road. It was also great to get on the scoreboard in a variety of ways tonight."
Looking ahead, the Cavs will host the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers on Sept. 13. The match is set for 1 p.m. at Pulliam Stadium in Black Mountain, N.C.
