BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Montreat College women's soccer team honored five seniors—
Anna Weissenfluh,
Jocelyn Stanley,
Joscelyn Eicher,
Kylie Ridings and
Maddie Ellis—prior to its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) kickoff against Brenau University on Saturday afternoon at Pulliam Stadium. Following the festivities, the Cavaliers and the Golden Tigers played a tightly-contested affair, with the visiting team sealing a 1-0 triumph behind stellar goalkeeping. After the result, the Cavs' record moved to 5-8-0 (3-7-0 AAC), and BU's record improved to 6-3-5 (4-3-3 AAC).
Weissenfluh did a spectacular job keeping the Golden Tigers off the scoreboard during the opening half, making a total of five saves, including four across the final 14 minutes of the frame. Meanwhile, Montreat applied pressure of its own. The Cavaliers created an attacking stretch with a
Leigh Harpel corner, a blocked try from Ellis and a Harpel shot that was saved just 4:30 into the matchup.
Natalie Hall also registered a pair of attempts, the latter of which was stopped by the Brenau goalkeeper, before the 17
th minute concluded.
Katie Burton, Hall and
Kelsey Wiggins supplied additional looks as the half progressed. A late six-minute stretch included three Cav corners and a shot from
Maggie Hypes, but the hosts couldn't sneak anything by the opposition's goalie. As a result, both squads entered the break scoreless.
An own goal 7:22 into the second half proved to be the difference on the scoreboard. Montreat was unable to clear a corner kick off the goal line, with the third attempt deflecting off a Cavalier into the net.
The home side earned numerous attacking opportunities throughout the period, but BU's keeper made multiple diving saves to hold the Cavs without a tally. Hall had an attempt stopped with 29:57 to go, as did Harpel with 19:16 remaining.
Madelyn Schultz directed a header on target with just over 10 minutes left, but that look was also held up defensively. Brenau notched four additional saves across the final 3:06 on strikes from Ellis, Hypes and Hall. Those stops saved the day as the Golden Tigers left Black Mountain, N.C., with a 1-0 win.
Montreat registered more shots (18-11), shots on goal (10-6) and corner kicks (9-5) than its counterpart; however, Brenau totaled 10 saves compared to the Cavaliers' five. The Cavs were also whistled for two more fouls (6-4).
Hall paced all players with six shots, four of which were directed on target. Harpel added three shots, putting two on frame. Ellis, Hypes, Wiggins and Schultz also placed looks on goal. Weissenfluh recorded 90 minutes in net and finished with five saves.
"I am so proud of this senior class," said Head Coach
Kristin Eggert. "They have walked through fire and have shown their faith to be genuine. They have made eternal impact in their surrender to the Lord."
Up next, the Montreat College women's soccer team hosts the University of Pikeville on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for its home finale. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Pulliam Stadium in Black Mountain, N.C.
