WISE — a woman-up goal by Montevallo's Anja Kuys with less than 20 seconds to go was the deciding factor in the Falcons' 9-8 triumph over UVA Wise at Carl Smith Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 25.
 

UVA Wise (2-2) swiped in the first goal of the day from Katie Allen at the 8:41 mark of the first period. The Falcons (3-3) responded quickly within the next two minutes by the hands of Claire Withington — but UVA Wise had the last laugh of the period as Grace Golatt drove into the goal to get a 2-1 advantage.

UVA Wise was then held to a scoreless second period as Falcon defense and Rachel Rose in goal held off three Cavalier shot attempts. Montevallo jumped a goal ahead, 3-2, after snagging two before halftime.

The Falcons and the Cavaliers were neck-and-neck in the third period, with Caitlyn Schultz and Anna Claire Watt adding to the scoreboard with a goal each. Soon after, Mikaela Barbieri and Jenna Piazza gave the Falcons some leg room and scored a goal each to grab the 7-4 lead.

Cavalier offense soon sprung into gear with three unanswered goals in eight minutes. The Schultz-Davis connection at the 7:45 mark of the fourth tied the game up (7-7) for the first time since the second quarter (2-2).

After a goal each from Falcon Crystal Williams and Cavalier Abby Stoffelen, a last-minute woman-up advantage from Kuys confirmed the Montevallo victory.

"It obviously wasn't the outcome we were hoping for," UVA Wise Head Coach Meghan Dennehy said. "In the end, we made too many mistakes and that cost us the game. I believe in this team and know that if they learn from those mistakes that the future will be bright."

Schultz led the Cavaliers with two goals on the day, while Anna Claire Watt, Mallory Trimble, Golatt, Stoffelen, and Davis all added a goal each.

Olivia Toomer finished in goal for the Cavaliers with eight saves.

Up next, UVA Wise begins conference play in Harrogate, Tenn. against LMU on Wednesday, March 1 with a 3 PM start time.