Box Score Sept. 26, 2006
Final Stats
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina utilized its set pieces and intense pressure for 90 minutes to blank mountain-rival, UNC Asheville, 3-0, Tuesday night in non-conference women's soccer action at the Catamount Athletic Complex. Three Catamounts recorded goals as WCU ran its unbeaten streak to four matches.
Western also cut the early deficit in the newly-founded Parkway Series in half, now trailing just 2-1 with the next scheduled head-to-head competition with UNC Asheville coming in December with men and women's basketball.
"I think this is the best game we have put together as a team this season," said second-year head coach Tammy DeCesare. "This was our best win - a well earned team win. But, with that having been said, I still feel that we have more to work on defensively. As far as an attack, that's the most dangerous we have looked in every facet of the game, especially the corners. We looked like we could have scored on every corner opportunity tonight."
The Catamounts, who improved to 5-4-1 on the season, capitalized on the early pressure, pushing the ball into the offensive third and eventually drawing a corner kick inside the first seven minutes. From the set piece, sophomore Arlan Whittle dropped a pass to freshman Shanna Schmoker. The ball found its way back to Whittle, who sent a high cross to the far side of the box where junior Heather Dittmer flicked it in on the header in traffic for the early lead at the 6:51 mark.
Western broke through to push the advantage to two goals in the 31st minute of play, with Whittle again providing the setup. Following a Bulldog foul and a free kick opportunity for the Catamounts, sophomore Buki Baruwa fired a shot on goal which was deflected over the cross bar by a UNCA defender resulting in a WCU corner kick. On the set piece, Whittle played the to the far back corner of the box where Baruwa headed it on to a waiting Rachael Shomper who planted it in the left hand corner of the cage for her first collegiate score.
In the second half, Western managed to put the match out of reach with an unassisted score by senior Meghan Reilly in the 56th minute. Freshman Jenny Matteson uncorked a shot from 25 yards out that sailed high and ricocheted off the lower portion of the cross bar, bouncing straight down where it careened off the `Dogs keeper, Veronica Lazar. The rookie net minder could not control the hot shot and the rebound rolled five feet out in front of the goal mouth where Reilly, on a dead sprint, buried a shot amidst a collision with Lazar.
For the remainder of the match, Western managed to play solid defense, limiting UNCA to one shot on goal in the final 45 minutes while accruing nine in the final segment and a 14-to-4 edge for the match. The Catamounts also held a decisive 7-to-2 edge in corner kicks, with two of the three scores coming as a direct result.
Dittmer, who was credited with the game-winning goal, led all players with three shots - all of which were on goal - and her classmate, Baruwa, recorded a pair as 11 Catamounts fired shots in the victory.
Senior goalkeeper Alesha Row played nearly 79 minutes in the shutout, with freshman Kelly Gulledge entering the match inside the final 12 minutes in the win. Row, who was credited with the win, only had to make two saves while Gulledge was never challenged by the Bulldogs thanks in part to the stingy Catamount defense.
UNC Asheville (3-3-1) had four players each record one shot on the night, while Lazar was saddled with her second loss in four career matches, standing at 1-2-1. The Bulldogs' leading scorer, Robyn Busha, was held to one shot on goal, which was from 30 yards away, and only played sparingly in the second half.
Western Carolina returns to conference action this Friday night, hosting the Furman Lady Paladins in a rematch of last year's Southern Conference championship. In honor of Hispanic History month, Friday night's match has been deemed "Salsa Night," with FREE chips and salsa from El Pacifico restaurant in Sylva and a Hispanic trio group performing at half time. Match time is set for 7:00 pm as the Catamounts battle the Lady Paladins in Cullowhee.
