Oct. 4, 2009

Box Score

Chattanooga, Tenn. - The Western Carolina women's soccer team played to a 3-3 draw after two extra periods with Southern Conference foe Chattanooga on Sunday afternoon at the North River Soccer Complex.

Western Carolina improved to 5-3-4 overall and 2-0-2 in Southern Conference play.

The Catamounts evened the game up in the final minute of regulation. Goalkeeper Katie Jacobs tallied her first career goal off a tip that was deflected off a Chattanooga player. Senior Shanna Schmoker played a critical role in delivering the ball to Jacobs off the corner kick in front of the busy net with less than 17 seconds remaining. It was the second time in two games that the Catamounts offense scored the equalizing goal with less than one minute remaining in regulation.

Western Carolina controlled the possession in the attacking end, leading in the corner kicks category, 6-2. The shots were near even as Chattanooga led that column, 16-15.

WCU fired away four shots in the first overtime period. Schmoker's shot was blocked by UTC goalkeeper Taylor Davidson as it came just a few inches from touching the back of the net.

The Lady Mocs' best opportunity in the overtime period came at the 106th minute, but a collaborative team effort fended away the potential golden goal for UTC.

Six Catamounts recorded shots, including senior Bri Cunningham who tallied the first Catamounts goal at the 5-minute mark in the first half. Cunningham caught a relay from Nikki Collins then fired a shot from thirty yards out, zipping the ball past the Chattanooga goalkeeper.

The goal was Cunningham's second of the season as it helped tie the match at 1-1. Cunningham moved up the WCU records books as she tied Felicia Wilson (2000-2003) and Kelly Barker (1999-2002) for sixth all-time with 14 career goals scored.

UTC regained the lead in the first half at 2-1 with a goal by Donna-Kay Henry at the 24 minute mark.

The Catamounts came out firing in the second half as Renee Anderson netted her first career goal with a pass from Rachael Shomper. The assist was Shomper's team-high third of the season.

Chattanooga scored on a WCU own goal in the 87th minute as the ball slowly rolled into net to take a short-lived 3-2 lead.

Jacobs, a sophomore goalkeeper, made her season debut and played a career-long 79 minutes while collecting six saves during that frame. Junior Caitlin Williams also played in goal for the Catamounts for 30 minutes.

Western Carolina resumes conference play at home with UNC Greensboro on Thursday. The match with the Spartans will kick off at 6 p.m at the Catamount Athletic Complex.