BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Montreat College women's lacrosse team couldn't overcome a 10-goal first quarter by the visiting Georgetown College Tigers, a program receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Top 10 Poll, on Saturday night. Trailing 10-1 after 15 minutes of play, the Cavaliers ultimately suffered a 21-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) defeat. With the loss, the Cavs moved to 3-5 (0-2 AAC), while the Tigers improved to 3-7 (2-0 AAC).
 
Montreat seized the game's opening draw control, but the rest of the first quarter belonged to Georgetown. The Tigers notched the contest's initial three tallies, and they scored 10 of the 11 goals during the first frame. Marley Smith's 21^st goal of the campaign got the Cavaliers on the board midway through the period, but the hosts found themselves in a 10-1 hole entering the second quarter.
 
After GC pushed its advantage to 11-1, Grace Wiegand helped pull the Cavaliers back within single digits. Smith assisted the senior's 45^th goal of the year less than six minutes into the second frame before scoring again herself with 3:32 remaining in the half. Georgetown finished the period with a flurry, however, scoring multiple times to seize a 15-3 edge prior to the intermission.
 
Defensively, the Tigers showed their prowess across the 15-minute-long third quarter. Montreat registered four shots in the frame, three of which were on target. Smith and Ruthann Stout put attempts on goal, but each try was stopped by Georgetown's goalie. Meanwhile, the visitors found the back of the net twice just 1:37 apart. Thanks to the tallies, GC wrapped up the third with a 17-3 lead.
 
Continuing her impressive individual performance, Smith capped off her hat trick with a goal at the midpoint of the fourth quarter. That proved to be the Cavs' lone tally of the frame, however, while the Tigers tacked on four strikes, including three across the final six minutes. With the additional insurance, Georgetown outpaced Montreat to the tune of a 21-4 final score.
 
GC held the statistical advantage in several categories, including shots (44-19), turnovers (18-14), successful clears (19-16), ground balls (29-10) and draw controls (18-8).
 
Smith led the hosts with three goals and an assist, all while placing six of her eight shots on target. Wiegand contributed a goal as well, with four of her six tries landing on frame. Anastasia Rust made 15 saves in the net, and she matched Naomi Mitchell with a team-best three ground balls.
 
Up next for the Montreat College women's lacrosse team is its final home game of the 2026 regular season. The Cavaliers are slated to face No. 4 Reinhardt University on Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.