CHARLESTON, S.C. - Sophomore midfielder Nardia Moore scored one goal and added an assist as the #6 seeded Western Carolina Lady Catamounts picked up the upset win over #3 Georgia Southern 3-1 from Patriot's Point in the first-round of the 2000 Southern Conference Women's Soccer tournament.

"This was a huge win for our program," said WCU head coach Debbie Hensley. "The girls came out today ready to compete and they played like champions from the first whistle to the last."

Western Carolina jumped out to an early lead when freshman Lauren Bramlett etched her name in the WCU Record Books as the first player to score a goal in the conference tournament. Bramlett took a pass from Moore and put it past GSU keeper Vanessa Bales just 12:48 into the contest.

Moore gave the Lady Cats some breathing room in the 24th minute as she took a long pass from goal keeper Mandi Tinsley and found the back of the net, giving WCU the 2-0 advantage.

"It was very good for the program getting the first win in our history. It really pumped up our momentum and confidence and showed us that we can win the whole tournament," said the All-Southern Conference selection Moore.

Sophomore Mandi Tinsley faced eight shots in both halves from the Lady Eagles, coming up with nine saves and allowing only one goal.

"Mandi saved us a couple of times today and it was just excellent in goal," said Hensley on her sophomore net minder.

Tinsley felt that the defensive effort in front of her, as well as the superb play of the offensive attack early helped the Cats to the win.

"This win was good for the team because we wanted to make a statement in this tournament," explained Tinsley.

The Lady Cats will take on UNC Greensboro, the number two seed, on Saturday at 2:00 pm at the Patriot's Point Soccer complex. The Lady Spartans bested WCU in Greensboro earlier this season 1-0 in the rain.

The game can be heard locally in Cullowhee on WWCU-FM 90.5, or via the Internet at www.wwcufm.com.