[Women's Lacrosse] Women's lacrosse opens 2019 with landmark win

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. - The Cavs' women's lacrosse team pulled off a landmark program win on Saturday when it defeated the Brenau Golden Tigers, 8-7, at Pulliam Stadium. The game was the first for the squad since 2017, after taking the 2018 season off to rebuild. It also marked the first game, and first career win, for head coach Kylie McMinn, and moved the team to 1-0 on the 2019 young season. McMinn is a former Montreat player and the daughter of Cavs' lacrosse program founder, Will McMinn. She successfully recruited players, coached, and stewarded the program to Saturday's important victory at Pulliam.

"I think we really played for each other and for the glory of God in this game," said McMinn following the game. "We played with class, kept our heads, and gave our whole hearts through the very end. Today, it got us a win."

The Cavs were paced by three goals from Daniela Melendez, and two more from middie Taylor Fox. Melendez started the game in goal and posted a 72% save rate before yielding the spot to Mia Moize, a junior from Taylors, S.C. She then went on to score a hat trick on attack. Melendez hails from Orlando, Florida's Lake Nona High School, which is proving a valuable pipeline for talent for both the men's and women's programs at Montreat. She received the game ball for her outstanding effort at both ends of the field. 

Between Moize (8) and Melendez (10), the Cavs posted an outstanding 18 saves in goal, while yielding just seven scores.

Rounding out the Cavs' scorers were Liz Guzman, Hope Ward, and Chelsea Garrison. Kyndell Esposito picked up four ground balls and also added two assists for Montreat. Garrison and Fox each gathered in three ground balls for Montreat. 

Two-sport athlete Lani Page gathered up two ground balls on defense for the Cavaliers. Guzman, Ashley Ruppard, and Moize each added two ground balls, while Kayla Trotter added a ground ball on defense in what was a total-team win for Montreat.

"I'm excited to see where our hard work takes us this year, as we continue to grow together," added McMinn. "I feel so humbled that God has blessed me with such excellent women to do life with."

Up Next: The Cavs were set for a short turnaround as they host the NCAA's Brevard College at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Pulliam.