Sept. 2, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina scored in the first 1:03 of the match and never looked back, shutting out the Campbell Camels, 3-0, to open the home portion of the 2005 women's soccer season in front a WCU-record 574 fans at the new Catamount Athletic Complex.

The match was the first-ever between the Catamounts and Camels, and was also the third-consecutive victory for the Cats, who open the season with a 3-0-0 start for just the second-time in the program's seven-year history. Western started 3-0-0 in 2001, eventually earning a co-championship in the Southern Conference and finishing as the runner-up in the conference championship.

Senior Natalie Turgeon received a long pass from fellow senior Casey Davis and fired from the top of the box to notch the game's first score just over a minute into the contest. The tally marked the third time on the young season that the two had combined on a score.

On the second goal of the night, Turgeon returned the favor to Davis for the score for their fourth combination. Davis squirted a pass to her classmate and Turgeon found the back of the net to give Western the 2-0 advantage, which the Cats held into intermission.

Sophomore Heather Dittmer added the third and final points when she corralled a rebound off a Bailey Culp shot and beat the Camels' keeper for her first tally of the season. Junior Keevy Harris assisted on the play, dishing a pass to Culp for the sailing shot which set up the scramble in front of the net that Dittmer polished off with the score.

On the night, Western outshot Campbell, 15-10, which is the first time the Cats have outshot an opponent this season. Catamount keeper Alesha Row recorded five saves and helped to blank Campbell, her fifth shutout of her career.

Friday night was the first time in Western Carolina's soccer history that a home match was played under the lights. It was also the first home game coached by first-year head coach, Tammy DeCesare.

"The strong, early start helped set the stage for the match," said DeCesare after the win. "The atmosphere at our new facility surrounding the first night game and first home game of the year really helped energize our team. Our crowd was amazing. Again, I was pleased with the way we played, pleased with our fitness level. But there is always room to improve and that's now our focus. We'll enjoy tonight for what it is and then prepare for East Carolina."

Western travels to East Carolina Sunday, Sept. 4, kickoff set for 1:00 pm. The Cats return home Friday, Sept. 9, and play Longwood at the new Catamount Athletic Complex.