Catamount Soccer Continues Preseason for 2021 Fall Season

Exhibition against Winthrop set for Sunday

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina women's soccer continues preseason workouts in preparation for the upcoming 2021 fall season. The Catamounts will host Winthrop in an exhibition match at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Catamount Soccer Complex.

The upcoming season will be the first full campaign for WCU in two years as the 2020 fall season was postponed until spring 2021. In the shortened spring season, the Catamounts played a full Southern Conference schedule and faced three non-conference opponents for a total of 12 matches.

Western Carolina returns its full starting roster for the fall including Southern Conference All-Freshman selection Maggie Lloyd and fifth year seniors Maryanne Kilgore, Regan Ward, and Bella Pighini. WCU also welcomes back top goalkeeper Melody Mezzina who was a named SoCon Defensive Player of the Week and SoCon Defensive Player of the Month for February 2021.

The Catamounts welcome 11 newcomers consisting of nine freshmen and two graduate transfers. Valentine Pursey and Natalie McNally come to Cullowhee after spending four seasons with Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in the Horizon League. The duo started and played in every game in their career with the Jaguars.

After competing in an exhibition with Winthrop on Sunday the Catamounts will travel to Presbyterian, Aug. 14, for its final tune-up before the start of the season on Aug. 19 against North Florida.

Duke, the Catamounts' opponent on Aug. 26, is ranked 6^th nationally in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. Three of Western Carolina's opponents ended the spring 2021 season ranked regionally by the United Soccer Coaches: Davidson (fifth East Region), North Florida (sixth South Region) and SoCon opponent Furman (ninth Southeast Region).

Gallery: (8-5-2021) Catamount Soccer Preseason (Aug. 5)

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Players Mentioned

#6 Maryanne Kilgore: D; 5' 7"; Graduate Student; Jefferson HS

#0 Melody Mezzina: GK; 5' 4"; Junior; St. Marguerite D' Youville

#31 Bella Pighini: MF; 5' 4"; Graduate Student; Lakes Community HS

#30 Regan Ward: MF; 5' 8"; Graduate Student; Strongsville HS

#99 Natalie McNally: D; 5' 10"; Graduate Student

#27 Valentine Pursey: F/M; 5' 6"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#6 Maryanne Kilgore
: 5' 7"; Graduate Student; Jefferson HS
: D

#0 Melody Mezzina
: 5' 4"; Junior; St. Marguerite D' Youville
: GK

#31 Bella Pighini
: 5' 4"; Graduate Student; Lakes Community HS
: MF

#30 Regan Ward
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student; Strongsville HS
: MF

#99 Natalie McNally
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student
: D

#27 Valentine Pursey
: 5' 6"; Graduate Student
: F/M