Box Score |   

The Basics Score: Western Carolina 3 -- Eastern Kentucky 0

Records: Western Carolina 1-0, EKU 0-1

Location: Catamount Athletic Complex -- Cullowhee, N.C.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Western Carolina women's soccer opened the 2015 season with a 3-0 victory over Eastern Kentucky Friday at the Catamount Athletic Complex in front of a rowdy 725 crowd.

The Catamounts exacted revenge over the Colonels who spoiled their season opener last season with a 1-0 victory. It is the 10th time in the Catamounts' 18 year history WCU has won its opening season game.

Western Carolina earned its third straight shutout, counting the pair of exhibition games in preseason, to open 2015. The Catamounts scored an early goal in the first half and tacked on a pair of goals in the second half to secure the win.

Turning Point
Western Carolina carried a tight 1-0 lead into the second half. WCU put the game out of reach for EKU when the Colonels were called for a foul inside the box. Senior Amanda Schwartz scored a PK goal, knocking the ball in from the left side of the net, to give WCU the crucial 2-0 lead.

Individual Leaders
Including the exhibition games, senior Schwartz has scored three goals in as many games, including a pair of PK goals.

Junior goalie Carly Tinstman earned the shutout.

Inside the Box Score
- Kelly Pannell scored the first goal of the game five minutes into the contest after WCU stole the throw in from EKU. Taking a pass from Chandler Arrowod Pannell who sailed it into the left side of the net.

- Schwartz was called to kick the PK for Western Carolina after EKU was called for a foul in the box. She shot the ball from the left side and past the Colonel goalie Samm Melton.

- A through pass combined set up Sayres McKenna and Haven Leland found the foot of redshirt sophomore Kasey Cooke for goal number three.

News & Notes

- With Kelly Pannell's opening game goal, the Sale Creek, Tenn. native has 13 goals in her career ranking her 13th in the Catamount record books.

Up Next
Western Carolina will host Winthrop at 2 p.m. Sunday. It will be the first game of the season for the Eagles.

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