Sept. 18, 2009

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's soccer team kept their home unbeaten streak alive with a 2-0 shutout of Jacksonville State despite rainy conditions in day one of the Catamount Classic.

A pair of goals by senior's Shanna Schmoker and Shannon Fowkes secured the Catamounts third victory at the Catamount Athletic Complex in front of 413 fans. Junior Caitlin Williams recorded her third shutout of the season and her 17th of her career.

"We definitely came out with intensity," noted Catamounts head coach Tammy DeCesare. "I am proud of the way that the girls came out and set the tone. Now, it's just a matter of keeping it."

Western Carolina (3-3-1) controlled possession throughout the match and a golden opportunity sparked at the 23rd minute in the first half. Schmoker fended away the ball from a Jacksonville State defender, kicked it over another defender and then sliced in the goal for her first of the season. The goal was Schmoker's 10th of her career.

"She created that shot," exclaimed DeCesare. "She showed off her athleticism and technique on that goal. It was a great finish."

The offensive intensity continued in the second half as WCU added its second goal at the 83-minute mark. Fowkes scored from a cross from Rachael Shomper three feet in front of the net to give the Catamounts a 2-0 edge. The goal was Fowkes' first tally since a goal against Belmont in 2008. Shomper recorded her first assist of the season.

"We went into halftime saying that we needed to find people in the box instead of lumping the ball in there," said DeCesare. "We were really dangerous against a good goalkeeper and a fairly aggressive backline. Our goal came on hard work by Shomper and Fowkes."

Jacksonville State made a pair of shots in each half, but was stonewalled by Williams. At the midway point in the second half, a diving Williams sprawled to the ground to stop a JSU goal. Williams, a Liberty, S.C. native, collected three saves for a career total of 185. The shutout marked Williams' 17th of her career, which is just one shy of Mandi Tinsley's second-place total of 18 on the WCU all-time career shutouts list.

"She's playing with a lot of confidence," said DeCesare. "She has done a great job keeping focus especially with a sloppy night." WCU outmanned the JSU offensive attack with a 15-4 advantage. The Catamounts also dominated corner kicks, 9-0.

Friday evening's win extended WCU's unbeaten streak at home to three games this season and to a total of five games dating back to Nov. 2, 2008. The win also evened up the series with Jacksonville State to 1-1.

Western Carolina will conclude the Catamount Classic on Sunday with a 2:30 p.m. kick off against UNC Asheville. Elon will play Jacksonville State at 12:00 p.m. before the Catamounts and Bulldogs square off in the tournament finale.

Gametracker will be available online at CatamountSports.com.