BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat College women's lacrosse team played host to the North Carolina Wesleyan University Battling Bishops, an NCAA Division III program, on Saturday at Pulliam Stadium. Scoring early and often, the Cavaliers utilized several career-best performances to cruise past their opposition, 24-14. With their first victory since April 18, 2024, the Cavs improved to 1-1 on the young season. NCWU dropped to 0-2 with the defeat.
 
The first quarter began with the visitors seizing two early goals less than four minutes into the showdown. However, after trailing 2-0, Montreat quickly responded with a goal from Ruthann Stout. Grace Wiegand then delivered the equalizer, leveling the score at 2-2 one minute later. Montreat continued to dominate the draw controls, leading to a flurry of goals, including Marley Smith's first of the day at the 7:58 mark, and Ailani Soto's first of the season just 30 seconds after.
 
Stout capitalized on a free position shot midway through the initial period, and Wiegand added her second and third tallies shortly after, capping off a 7-0 spurt that saw the Cavaliers move in front by five goals. N.C. Wesleyan worked its way back onto the scoresheet late in the frame, but Smith helped Montreat preserve momentum by contributing another tally with 67 seconds left and by assisting Stout's third goal with 17 seconds to go. The quarter ultimately ended with the Cavs holding a 9-3 advantage over the Battling Bishops.
 
Montreat maintained a strong offensive presence in the second quarter, starting with Anna White's free position goal merely 55 seconds in. Soto and Wiegand added to the lead with goals at 12:09 and 10:23, respectively. Despite NCWU's efforts to retaliate, the hosts countered effectively with Smith assisting Stout around the six-minute mark. Wiegand's goal with 1:59 left, which was assisted by Stout, further solidified the Cavaliers' lead. N.C. Wesleyan outscored Montreat in the period, 6-5, but the home team still owned a 14-9 edge at the intermission.
 
The Cavs took control in the third quarter with a dominant performance, scoring six goals while limiting the Battling Bishops to just one. Wiegand initiated the scoring for Montreat with a goal at 11:12, followed by another at 7:56 during a man-up situation. Smith then notched three consecutive tallies, including back-to-back man-up goals on free position shots. White tacked on more insurance late in the frame, and the Cavaliers closed out the third quarter with a double-digit edge, 20-10.
 
Montreat capitalized on a man-up opportunity early in the fourth quarter when Wiegand scored her eighth goal of the contest. The Fayetteville, N.C. native followed that up with an assist to Smith roughly 90 seconds later, expanding the hosts' lead out to 22-11.
 
As the quarter progressed, NCWU responded with a handful of goals, but the outcome was never in doubt. Stout and Wiegand each netted man-down goals in the final minutes, securing Montreat's 24-14 victory in the process.
 
Statistically, the Cavs possessed noteworthy advantages in shot (42-23), draw controls (30-10), ground balls (18-14) and free position goals (5-2). Defensively, Anastasia Rust made five saves while grabbing her first collegiate win as a goalkeeper.
 
Wiegand led the offensive effort with a career-best nine goals and added an assist, placing 12 of her 16 shot attempts on goal. Smith contributed significantly with six goals and two assists, finding the target on nine of her 11 shots. Stout added a career-high five goals and an assist, landing six of seven shots on goal. Soto also found the back of the net twice, successfully converting both of her shot attempts.
 
"We were moving around well on offense," said head coach Kayla Bone. "We weren't standing around in one spot. We were able to pass the ball, cut and move off the ball to where we were able to open up passing lanes and driving lanes to be able to score."
 
The Montreat College women's lacrosse team concludes its season-opening three-game homestand on Wednesday when it hosts Warren Wilson College. Opening draw control is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Pulliam Stadium in Black Mountain, N.C.