October has been a good month for the men's soccer team at Montreat College.  After a slow and injury-hampered start to the season, the Cavaliers began rounding into form with a 2-0 win on Homecoming Saturday and then trounced Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Bluefield College 6-0 on Wednesday, October 7.  

So, armed with a newfound confidence and healthy players, the team traveled to Waleska, GA to face AAC rival Reinhardt College on Saturday, October 10.  Montreat's hard-fought 2-1 victory marks the Cavaliers' third win in a row and fourth in five matches and raises the team's conference record to 4-1.  Despite an overall record of 5-6, the sparkling recent play has vaulted Montreat into first place in the AAC.

The victory pleased Head Coach Brenton Benware, who cited the team's perseverance and the continued excellence of several team leaders.  "We allowed Reinhardt to score their only goal six seconds into the game, so I was so proud of our guys for fighting back from a discouraging opening."

In a "very physical match," goalkeeper Howard Fisher produced a performance that was remarkable even measured against his distinguished career, making eight vital stops and drawing praise from everyone in Cavalier blue.  One teammate said Fisher "made saves like I have never seen, and he clearly led our team to victory."  

Team Captain Stephen Jackson continued a run of outstanding play as he scored an unassisted goal to knot the game at 1-1.  

And as has become his habit of late, Shaka Bangura followed up in the second half with his ninth goal of the season after an attack constructed by Abdul Bangura and Hasani McKenzie.  Bangura's tally provided the final score in the 2-1 win over the Eagles.

On Wednesday, October 14, the team will be playing Union College at the home field on the Black Mountain campus in their second-to-last conference game of the regular season.  Kickoff is slated for 4:00, after the conclusion of the Lady Cavaliers' game against Union at 2:00.  Please be sure to get out there and support the team as they defend their lead at the top of the AAC.