COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Montreat College women's lacrosse team delivered a commanding performance on Wednesday afternoon, cruising to a 20-9 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) victory over Columbia College. The Cavaliers capitalized on key opportunities throughout the contest, converting three player-up chances into goals to fuel their offensive surge. With the win, Montreat improved to 4-6 (2-5 AAC) on the season, while the Koalas fell to 0-11 (0-4 AAC).
The Cavs wasted no time setting the tone in the opening quarter with an early offensive burst. Grace Wiegand found the back of the net just 48 seconds into the contest, igniting a fast start that saw Ruthann Stout and Addie Hannah, who netted her first collegiate goal, follow with scores to push Montreat out to a 3-0 edge by the 11:11 mark. Columbia answered with two goals of its own, but Montreat continued to dictate play. Anna White capitalized on a player-up opportunity with just under five minutes remaining to extend the lead. The Koalas mounted a late push, but the Cavaliers held firm to close the quarter ahead, 5-3.
Wiegand took over the second quarter, erupting for five goals in a dominant stretch. She struck just 22 seconds into the period, then added to the outburst with a rapid flurry that included two scores in less than 10 seconds at the 8:04 and 7:55 marks. Stout contributed with a free position tally and later set up Marley Smith, who found the net twice, including once on a finish with 41 seconds remaining. Montreat's relentless attack paired with a lockdown defensive effort kept Columbia off the scoreboard in the frame, sending the Cavaliers into halftime with a commanding 13-3 advantage.
Columbia struck first in the third quarter, but the visitors quickly responded behind Wiegand's steady control. She secured the draw and set up White for a goal at the 11:31 mark, then converted a free position chance 19 seconds later. Wiegand continued to drive the attack, finding Smith for a player-up score two minutes later before adding another advantage goal of her own with 6:25 to go in the frame. Montreat answered every push and carried a 17-7 lead into the final quarter.
The Cavaliers opened the fourth with urgency as Hannah found the net just 39 seconds into the period. Columbia rebounded with two goals, but the Cavs regained control. Wiegand struck at the 2:28 mark off a feed from Smith, while Ailani Soto added a late tally with 77 seconds remaining, also set up by Smith. Montreat closed the contest in commanding fashion to secure the 20-9 victory.
"It wasn't pretty, but we figured it out and got the win," said Head Coach Kayla Bone. "Grace did a phenomenal job leading our team and setting the standard."
Montreat held the edge in shots (39-26), draw controls (19-8) and free position goals (3-2) in the contest.
Wiegand paced the Cavaliers with a dominant outing, netting 10 goals and adding three assists while firing 15 total shots, including 14 on target. Smith provided a strong presence with three goals and three assists. Stout made an impact with two goals and a helper. Hannah was efficient, scoring twice on two shots, with both on frame for her first career tallies. White added two goals and placed five shots on target, while Soto rounded out the effort with a goal. Defensively, Anastasia Rust made seven saves in net.
Looking ahead, Montreat hits the road Saturday, April 4, traveling to Williamsburg, Ky. for a 3 p.m. matchup against No. 2 University of the Cumberlands.
