Box Score Oct. 14, 2005
Final Stats
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Sophomore Lauren Atkinson blasted a shot from the left of the cage beating both the buzzer and Mountaineer goal keeper, freshman Megan Amorosi, as Western Carolina edged rival, Appalachian State, 1-0, in overtime Friday night in women's soccer at the Catamount Athletic Complex.
After battling through the first 90 minutes to a 0-0 tie, all signs were pointing to a second overtime session as the clock wound down. With just a few ticks remaining, the Catamounts created a scramble in front of the Mountaineer goal where Atkinson's classmate, Heather Dittmer, won a ball in a scrum and dished it back to her teammate. Atkinson's third shot attempt of the night found the back of the net just before time expired.
The goal for Atkinson was her fourth of the season and her second game-winner. Dittmer, who recorded two shots on her own in the win, was credited with her fourth assist of the year, which ranks second on the Catamount squad. Also recording multiple shots for the Cats were sophomore Keevy Harris and senior Casey Davis, each with two apiece.
Atkinson had a chance earlier in the overtime session to give the Catamounts the win off the first corner kick of the night. Atkinson's kick found Natalie Turgeon who turned and dropped the ball into the path of the sophomore who's shot sailed just past the outside post.
Appalachian State managed the ball well through much of the first half, maintaining possession and stymieing any of Western's runs into the offensive zone and disrupting the Cats passing game. At the outset of the second half, the Catamounts survived a Mountaineer barrage that saw three shots off a pair of corner kick opportunities, but no one was able to break through for a tally.
Western, which improved to 11-3-0 overall and 2-2-0 in the Southern Conference, was out shot on the night, 21-14, including a 10-5 advantage through the first 45 minutes of action. The Catamounts narrowed the margin in the second stanza, 8-7, and 3-2 in the final 10 minutes.
The shutout win - Western's school-record eighth of the year - was recorded by Catamount keeper, junior Alesha Row. The Fargo, N.D., product made eight saves on the night, including one during overtime. The win also marked the most victories by a Western Carolina first-year head coach, surpassing the 10 wins recorded by the Cats' first-ever skipper, Debbie Hensley in 1999. The victorious overtime was also the first extra session played at the new Catamount Athletic Complex.
Appalachian State (9-4-1, 2-3-1 SoCon) was led by junior Dana Murphy who fired five shots on the night, including ASU's first offering in the overtime period. Sophomore Jaclyn Hoffman tallied four shots in the game, including the Mountaineers' lone shot on goal during the final 10 minute frame. Her blast from the top of the box was smothered by Row.
The Apps keeper, Amorosi, made three saves, but was saddled with the loss, dropping her overall seasonal record to 3-3-1.
Western returns home on Sunday, Oct. 16 to host The Citadel at 2:00 pm at the Catamount Athletic Complex. The Mountaineers host Furman in Boone, N.C., on Sunday, also with a 2:00 pm kickoff.
