Oct. 30, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, NC - - The Western Carolina women's soccer team jumped out to an early lead, but league-leading Davidson scored twice late to claim a 2-1 victory Sunday evening at the Catamount Athletic Complex. The loss dropped the Catamounts record to 15-5-0 with 6-4-0 mark in the Southern Conference, while the Wildcats improve to 13-4-2 with 9-0-1 in league play.

The Catamounts, who held a 13-12 advantage in shots, capitalized on an early scoring opportunity in the first period of the game. Freshman Arlan Whittle centered a pass to senior Casey Davis, who redirected the ball with a header into the net. The goal was the fifth of the year for Davis, while the assist was Whittle's fifth.

The Catamounts had another scoring opportunity midway through the first, but Heather Dittmer's shot hit the cross bar and Davidson keeper Bevin English stopped Natasha Moore's follow.

In the second half, Davidson was able to keep pressure on the Catamount defense. The SoCon's leading goal scorer, Kara Koehrn, added to her total with her 18th on the season, tying the game at 1-1 with a goal 28 minutes into the second half. Brittany Eddy was credited with the assist.

Just over nine minutes later, Tracy McCausland took a pass form Anne Stevens and found the back of the net for her first goal season, as well as what proved to be the game winner.

Western, who also held a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks, had one final opportunity with just over four minutes left. A shot by Catamount senior Megan Chambers was stopped on an impressive save by English to preserve the win.

Catamount keeper junior Alesha Row picked up seven saves on the match, including six in the second half, while English recorded five saves.

At the 2005 SoCon Championship, Davidson is the top seed and will face eighth-seeded Elon, who edged out Appalachian State for the final spot in the tournament due to a tie-breaker. Host team Furman, by virtue of its double-overtime win over UNC Greensboro Sunday, will be the second seed and face seventh-seeded Wofford. UNCG will square off against sixth-seeded Chattanooga. Western, the fourth seed, will play the College of Charleston, who the Catamounts defeated 1-0 in Charleston on Oct. 21. All four matches of the first round will be played on Thursday (Nov. 3) at Furman's Stone Field. Check back with catamountsports.com or soconsports.com for updated times for all matches.