Sept. 5, 2008

Final Stats |   

Cullowhee, NC- Western Carolina women's soccer team scored a golden goal five minutes into the second overtime to give the Catamounts a thrilling 1-0 victory over the visiting Butler Bulldogs on Friday afternoon at the Catamount Athletic Complex.

The win for the Western Carolina Catamounts was its ninth extra session win all-time in its 10-year existence and fifth win in double overtime. The Cats improved to 1-2 on the season, and are now 7-3 in home openers all-time.

"We have been working on our attack all week long in practice and (Shannon) Fowkes was right where she needed to be and her timing was perfect," said head coach Tammy DeCesare.

Five minutes into the second over-time, freshman Jaycee Payton fired a shot that was stopped by goal keeper Laura Baker for Butler. However, the rebound took a fortuitous bounce to WCU junior Shannon Fowkes in front of the cage where she headed it on net. Baker made a leaping save inside the goal, as signaled by the linesman, to give the Catamounts the victory. The goal for Western was its first of the season.

The first half had many opportunities for both teams when four minutes into the contest Butler midfielder Molly Kruger had a shot that sailed high over the goal. Then, at the 32:00 minute mark, Catamount junior midfielder Nikki Lombardo had two chances inside the box with both shots being saved by Baker.

Another opportunity came later in the first half when on a direct kick just outside the box, Fowkes careened off the cross bar and the Butler defense was able to clear. The Catamounts ended the first half with a four to three lead in shots in the scoreless deadlock.

The second half remained a defensive battle between the two teams. But each side had their chance to erase the scoreless tie.

At the 21:00 minute mark Butler forward Carrie Twyman raced down the right side and tried to cross to her open teammate. However, the ball was just out of reach and bounced out of bounds ending the threat. Three minutes later for Western, freshman Jaycee Patton had an opportunity when she fired a shot on goal that was saved by Baker to preserve the 0-0 score.

"After we settled down, we played our best second half to date and our stamina in the overtimes was apparent, said coach DeCesare."

Western Carolina out shot the Bulldogs, 8-to-7, with only one shot being on goal from the Bulldogs. In the overtime sessions, the Catamounts had three shots while holding Butler off the stat sheet.

The Catamounts next match will be Sunday, Sept. 7 starting at 2:00 pm against the Belmont Bruins at the Catamount Athletic Complex.