COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU women's soccer took the pitch Wednesday evening to face off against Montreat College (N.C.). The Rams hold a 2-4-2 record against the Cavaliers but upgraded that to 3-4-2 with a 3-1 victory this afternoon. CIU is now 8-5-1 overall and 7-4-1 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play and sits at No. 5 in the conference with two games remaining.
Match Summary: CIU remained in control of the ball for most of the first frame and awarded themselves a corner kick just 44 seconds in. Montreat did get off the first shot of the game, which Hailey Resetar hauled in. Thais Roberto and Marisa Dill sailed shots wide, but Callie Rowe found the back of the net (12:43), assisted by Roberto to get the Rams on the board.
Less than six minutes later, Rowe scored her second goal of the game, this time assisted by Dill, to give the Rams a 2-0 lead.
CIU continued to pressure the Cavaliers with a header from Mercy Berkemeyer and a shot from Dill that made its way over the crossbar. Dill, Rowe, and Lily Jackson kept Montreat's keeper on her toes as they pounded the goal.
Two minutes after entering the contest, Haley Hernandez scored her fifth goal of the season to give CIU a 3-0 edge going into the half.
Amber McKinley continues to show up on the Rams' backline as she quickly picked up another defensive save into the second frame (50:39). CIU was awarded a corner kick five minutes later but could not capitalize on this. The Rams were not as aggressive on offense this half, as they only took four shots, and none made it to the back of the goal.
Montreat did scratch one goal late in the second half (83:22), but it was not enough for a comeback as CIU took the win 3-1.
The Rams outshot the Cavaliers 19-8, with Rowe and Berkemeyer leading the way with five apiece, and Resetar picked up five saves. With two goals in the first half, Rowe recorded her second career brace.
What Coach Kara Lail is saying: "We haven't scored in 2 weeks. We have struggled to generate our attack and settle in to find the back of the net. Today, we had a game plan and executed it well. Montreat is a talented team, and we have always struggled in the match-up. Today, the win was well deserved."
Up Next: CIU takes the pitch for their last regular season game this Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. Senior Day celebrations will occur between the men's and women's games.
