BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Montreat College women's soccer team fell to Union Commonwealth University, 4-3, on Wednesday in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. After building an early three-goal lead, the Cavaliers saw the Bulldogs rally and score the game-winning goal late in the contest. With the loss, Montreat dropped to 0-3-0 (0-2-0 AAC), while UCU improved to 3-3-0 (1-0-0 AAC).
Montreat struck three times in the opening 10 minutes as Rebeca Cruz Manon converted Leigh Harpel assists in the 5th and 7th minutes. Harpel then finished a Sawyer Kenney assist just under three minutes later to give the Cavs a 3-0 advantage. The visitors quickly trimmed the deficit, however, scoring at the 12:00 and 20:02 marks to pull within one at 3-2.
The Cavaliers continued to generate chances, with Kylie Ridings, Jocelyn Stanley and Harpel each sending shots high or wide between the 23rd and 29th minutes. Kelsey Wiggins tested the opposing defense in the 37th minute, but her attempt was saved. Anna Weissenfluh made several key stops late in the half as the Bulldogs applied pressure, allowing Montreat to carry its 3-2 lead into halftime.
Union Commonwealth came out strong after the break, finding the back of the net in less than five minutes to fully erase its three-goal deficit. Cruz Manon nearly put the Cavaliers back in front in the 55th minute, sending her first attempt off the post before her follow-up was blocked just 11 seconds later.
Weissenfluh continued to keep the hosts level as Union Commonwealth created several scoring opportunities, making three saves between the 58:01 and 62:28 marks before adding four more stops between the 73rd and 78th minutes. The Bulldogs finally broke through with 4:05 left in the contest, though, scoring late to take a 4-3 lead.
Montreat pushed for an equalizer in the closing moments, with Cruz Manon forcing a save less than a minute after UCU's go-ahead goal. Harpel then had one final opportunity in the closing seconds, but her shot struck the crossbar and spun away from the goal as time expired, sealing the 4-3 victory for Union Commonwealth.
Statistically, the Cavaliers held the advantage in saves (11-2), while the visitors led in shots (25-14), shots on goal (15-5) and corner kicks (11-3). The Bulldogs were whistled for 12 fouls compared to 10 for Montreat.
Cruz Manon scored twice while leading the Cavaliers with five shots, including three on target. Harpel added a goal and two assists on four shots, while Kenney contributed a helper. Weissenfluh finished with 11 saves across 90 minutes in net.
Up next, the Montreat College women's soccer team travels to Spartanburg, S.C., to take on Spartanburg Methodist College in an AAC contest. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19.
