Box Score |   

The Basics
Score: Western Carolina 1 - Samford 0
Records: Western Carolina 8-7-3, 4-4-1 SoCon, Samford 13-5, 8-1 SoCon
Location: Catamount Athletic Complex -- Cullowhee, N.C.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina women's soccer stunned the Southern Conference regular season champions, Samford, 1-0 Sunday handing the Bulldogs their first conference loss of the season at the Catamount Athletic Complex.

The Catamount goal, against the Bulldogs, is the first given up by Samford in the Southern Conference this season and breaks up Samford's bid to end conference play undefeated. The Western Carolina goal was also the first scored on Samford since Kennesaw State had two in the 5-2 loss to the Bulldogs on Sept. 20.

Three seniors were in on the eventual game-winning goal for Western Carolina. At 19:22 senior Amanda Schwartz scored her second goal of the season in what will arguably go down as the biggest goal of her career. In a double assist senior Markie-Lynn Studnicky threw in the ball to Sara Robinson who placed it perfectly in the box to Schwartz heading it over Bulldog goal keeper Katie Peters in the middle of the goal.

Senior goalie Lauren Martin was brilliant in goal weathering a barrage of Samford attempts including a tip out and a flurry of 12 shots. Samford was frustrated by Western Carolina's oppressive defensive effort and sent shots just wide of the mark or saw them ping off the cross bar.

Turning Point
Western Carolina scored at 19:22 when Schwatz headed the ball into the back of the net.

Individual Leaders
- Schwartz scored her second goal of the season.
- Robinson picked up her fourth assist of the season.
- Martin earned her third shutout of the season and improves to 3-1-1 on the year.

Inside the Box Score
- At 19:22 Schwartz scored from a throw in by Studnicky which was picked up by Robinson and sent it to Schwartz for the header score.

News & Notes
- Western Carolina scored the first goal in conference play on Samford this season.

- The Catamounts snapped the Bulldogs conference unbeaten streak as Samford was 8-0 entering the game.

- With the win, Western Carolina will be the No. 6 seed in the Southern Conference Championships.

- Western Carolina's win over Samford is the first in Cullowhee and also the first since 2008.

- Western Carolina's 1-0 shutout over Samford was the eighth shutout this season.

Up Next
Western Carolina, as the No. 6 seed, will travel to No. 3 seed UNCG for a 2 p.m. Saturday match-up in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Championships.

For the latest information on Catamount women's soccer, follow @catamounts on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com.