Oct. 26, 2008

Final Stats |   

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's soccer team dropped a tough game to the Samford Bulldogs 2-1 Sunday afternoon. The Catamounts fell to 11-7 overall and 8-2 in the Southern Conference after the loss while Samford improves to 8-8-2 and 7-1-2 in the SoCon after the victory.

In the 81st minute of play Samford's Carolina Baxter fired a shot from outside the box and carried over the head of Catamounts keeper Caitlin Williams into the right corner of the net giving Samford the 2-1 victory. Baxter scored her first goal of the season for the Bulldogs.

The Samford Bulldogs struck first in the contest when in the 26th minute mark after Bulldog's goalie Alyssa Whitehead punted the ball into Catamount territory when Sarah Wilkinson seemed to just tap it past Catamounts keeper Williams trickling into the net for a 1-0 Bulldogs lead.

The Catamounts had some opportunities coming in the 29th minute when freshman Kayla Beauduy had a shot that was blocked by Samford's defense. In the next six minutes of play Western Carolina had four shots on goal with Bulldog's keeper Whitehead coming up with two saves.

The Catamounts finished the first half with a 10-to-4 advantage in shots including four chances on goal.

The Catamounts came out fighting in the second half scoring in a blistering 43 seconds when freshman Kayla Beauduy beat the Samford keeper Whitehead in the lower corner for her fifth goal of the season tying the game at 1-1. Beauduy also broke a five match scoreless streak for Samford goalie Whitehead.

Western Carolina had a golden opportunity to take the lead when junior Nikki Collins had a shot on goal but bulldog's keeper Whitehead got a piece of the ball to make the save keeping the game tied. The Catamounts finished the game with 16 shots including seven attempts on goal, but just couldn't find the net again to tie the game again late in the contest.

The Catamounts will return to the pitch on Thursday evening when they travel to Boone, N.C., to face rival, the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm.