Sept. 21, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Despite leading at halftime, the Western Carolina women's soccer team surrendered the first two goals in the history of the Catamount Athletic Complex, falling 2-1 to the UNC Greensboro Spartans in the Southern Conference opener for both squads Wednesday night.

The loss drops Western to 7-2-0 overall, 0-1-0 in the Southern Conference, while UNC Greensboro improves to 5-3-0 on the season, 1-0-0 in league play.

During the first five minutes of the play, UNCG continued to play the ball into the Western zone. The Catamounts were able to capitalize on a run, earning a corner kick opportunity. WCU freshman Arlan Whittle lit the scoreboard for the Catamounts, netting her first career goal 10 minutes into the game. Western's Meghan Reilly sent a cross in front of the Spartan net from the corner kick where senior Emily Pierce corralled the loose ball, flicking it to Whittle for the score, giving the Catamounts the early 1-0 advantage.

UNC Greensboro got on the board in the 59th minute as senior Dacia Beachum tallied the first-ever goal by an opponent in the Catamount Athletic Complex, breaking a string of five halves - or 241 total minutes - that Western had held its opponents scoreless in the new facility. Roughly 22 minutes after allowing the first goal, another Beachum lit the scoreboard for the Spartans as Deven Beachum scored the game winner on a quick near post shot.

Trailing by one, Western mounted a furious charge over the final few minutes of the contest. Junior Keevy Harris had an opportunity on a feed that split three Spartan defenders that ricocheted off the back of her lead foot, and sophomore Heather Dittmer fired a point-blank shot that was blocked by the Spartan keeper, sealing the win.

After the quick starts for the Spartans at the beginning of each half, the Catamount settled in, playing UNCG even on the field. For the match, UNC Greensboro out shot Western 14-to-13, while the Cats held a 6-to-5 advantage in corner kick opportunities. The Western defense also held defending Southern Conference Player of the Year, Spartan senior Amy Carnell, to one shot for the match. Catamount goalkeeper Alesha Row had six saves on the game. Row still stands just one shutout away from tying WCU's single-season record for shutouts, currently standing at six held by Mandi Tinsley from the 2001 season.

Western Carolina will return to action on Friday, Sept. 23, hosting Francis Marion in non-conference action. Match time is set for 7:00 pm at the new Catamount Athletic Complex.