Nov. 4, 2000

Box Score

CHARLESTON, SC - Western Carolina (11-8-2) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on the second-seeded UNC Greensboro Spartans, but two, second half goals were the difference as the Lady Cats fell 3-1 in the semi-finals of the Southern Conference women's soccer tournament.

UNCG (17-7-1) advances to take on the top-seeded Furman Lady Paladins in the tournaments championship game on Sunday.

"The girls played with a lot of heart today," said head coach Debbie Hensley. "We had a great season and this was just an awesome way to top it off. I could not be more proud of the team."

Sophomore Nardia Moore recorded her second goal of the tournament 34 minutes into the first half. Her shot from 30-feet out was just out of reach of Greensboro goalkeeper Kathryn Clewley's outstretched arms.

The score was the first-ever by a WCU team against UNC Greensboro in the three-game history.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Spartan senior Jenny Moore took a pass from Pa'tra Glavin and put it past WCU goalie Mandi Tinsley. Moore has seven points in her last three games.

The goal tied the game up at one apiece, where it stayed until the 78th minute in the second half when freshman Cheryl Stewart put a pass over the head of two Lady Cat defenders and junior teammate Kara Mirarchi. Mirarchi won the foot race to the ball and beat Tinsley high for the 2-1 lead.

Steward picked up a goal off a centering cross by Moore, which she headed past the WCU keeper for the final scoring margin.

Western Carolina had a chance early on in the second half to take the lead when freshman Jordan Howell out battled two Greensboro defenders and centered a pass to sophomore Morgan Foresman, who had an open shot three-feet in front of the net. However, the shot attempt sailed high over the goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Mandi Tinsley equaled her save total from the win on Thursday, tallying nine saves in the losing effort. WCU was out shot 16-6.