SWANNANOA, N.C. – Warren Wilson College battled until the final whistle in its 2026 season opener, but a pair of second-half goals by Montreat College proved to be the difference as the Owls fell 3-2 on Saturday.

Warren Wilson (0-1) received goals from Ethan Perez and Steve Moodie, twice answering Montreat scoring runs to stay within striking distance. Will Flory made five saves in goal for the Owls.

Montreat (2-0-1) opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Uros Markovic converted a pass from Jared McCall for a 1-0 advantage.

The Owls needed less than four minutes to respond. Dylan Keene set up Perez in the 16th minute, and Perez found the back of the net for his first goal of the season to pull Warren Wilson even at 1-1.

Warren Wilson continued to generate opportunities throughout the opening half. Jamie Millan and Kian De Rensis-Williams each put attempts on frame, while Flory made a save at the other end to help send the Owls into halftime tied.

Montreat applied significant pressure after the break and regained the lead in the 53rd minute. Emmanuel Ntimeh scored off his second goal of the season following an assist from McCall to make it 2-1. Ntimeh struck again in the 64th minute, scoring his second goal of the match and third of the season off an assist from Emilio Ruiz to extend the Cavaliers' advantage to 3-1.

Warren Wilson refused to go away.

After returning to the match as a substitute, Moodie cut the deficit to one in the 78th minute. Manuel Cruz provided the assist as Moodie scored his first goal of the season to make it 3-2. The Owls were unable to produce the equalizer over the final 12 minutes as Montreat held on for the one-goal victory. Montreat finished with a 22-8 advantage in shots and an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. The Cavaliers also held a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks. Despite facing 14 second-half shots, Flory recorded four of his five saves after halftime.

Perez led Warren Wilson with two shots, putting both on goal, while Moodie and De Rensis-Williams also attempted two shots apiece. Warren Wilson put six of its eight total attempts on target.