BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat men's soccer team played host to the Bluefield University Rams Wednesday evening as part of its 2024 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) regular season slate. Putting its unbeaten league record on the line, the Cavaliers couldn't overcome a first-half goal as they ultimately lost 1-0 and dropped to 2-4-1 (1-1-1 AAC) on the season.
 
Both teams got off to a slow start with neither side registering a shot attempt until Eric Eke did so in the 18^th minute. Predrag Grbovic forced the initial save of the night in the 24^th, but the hosts had trouble beating the Rams' goalkeeper.
 
An errant pass set up Bluefield (2-4-0, 1-3-0 AAC) for the game's lone tally with 8:39 remaining in the first half. The wayward ball allowed a BU midfielder to step up into space and rifle a shot past a diving Frankie Zavala.
 
Neither team placed an attempt on target the rest of the frame, and the visitors maintained their 1-0 advantage through 45 minutes of action. Montreat attempted one more shot both overall (5-4) and on target (3-2). The Cavs also held a slight 3-2 edge in corner kicks. Meanwhile, Zavala notched one save in the period.
 
Trailing by one, the hosts thoroughly dominated the second half. Montreat demonstratively owned the upper hand in both shots (13-1) and corner kicks (7-0) across the latter 45 minutes, but the breakthrough never materialized.
 
The Cavaliers' best chance came on a penalty kick with merely 2:14 left in the match; however, Brian Eke's shot from the spot couldn't sneak past the fully extended Rams keeper. As a result, Bluefield captured a tight 1-0 win at Pulliam Stadium.
 
Despite the score not falling the Cavs' way, most of the stats did. The home side took more shots (18-5), placed more attempts on goal (6-2) and racked up more corner kicks (10-2) than its counterpart. Grbovic landed three looks on frame, while Eric Eke proved accurate on the attack twice. Zavala ended the evening with one save.
 
Montreat remains at Pulliam Stadium for its next contest this Saturday against the University of Pikeville Bears. The Homecoming & Family Weekend kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.