Charlotte, N.C. – A late-game push culminating in a Becca Campbell goal in the 86th minute gave Western Carolina a chance to erase a two-goal deficit in the final moments. However, the Catamounts were unable to finish off the comeback, falling to the Queens Royals 2-1 on Thursday night in nonconference action at the Queens Sports Complex.
The Catamounts controlled the pace of play over the opening 20 minutes, taking a handful of shots courtesy of Ava Robitaille, Naya Marcil, Isabella DeMarco, and Abbie Lainhart. Neither team broke through until the 30th minute when the Royals chipped a long shot in over the Catamount defense to break the scoreless draw.
Leanne Trudel and the Catamounts rallied, with Trudel picking up her fourteenth save of the season in the 33rd minute, but the home team lofted a second long ball over the defense for a 2-0 lead just over the midway point of the opening half. The Royals' three shots on goal in the first half would ultimately prove to be their only scoring chances on the night as the Catamounts faced a 2-0 deficit heading into the break.
Adjustments by Chad Miller and staff in the second half produced results as the Purple and Gold rattled off the first six shots of the final 45, placing four on target. However, a career night by Idaho State transfer Kelsey Jargstorf between the pipes for Queens kept the Catamounts off the board until the 87th minute of the night. Becca Campbell gave WCU late life when she broke the shutout with her second goal in as many games.
With time dwindling, the Catamounts fought for three possessions over the final three minutes of regular time with Isabella DeMarco, Naya Marcil, and Milla Syska each nearly tying the match, with Syska's shot colliding against the goal in the 89th minute.
The Catamounts dominated in scoring opportunities on the night, outshooting the Royals 22-5 overall including a 15-2 edge in the second half alone. Ten of WCU's shots found their way on net compared to just three by Queens despite falling 2-1.
Catamount Notables:
· The Catamounts uncorked 20+ shots for the second match in a row … the Purple and Gold had five such games last season;
· Milla Syska, Isabella DeMarco, and Naya Marcil led the Catamount attack, combining for 16 total shots ... the trio each had more than five shots with Marcil leading the pack with a game-high six;
· Becca Campbell recorded her fifth career goal and second in back-to-back games … Campbell's goal came in the 87th minute and was her third-career goal scored beyond the 85th-minute mark of a match;
· Samantha Whitaker joined Becca Campbell, Mary Mueth, and Leanne Trudel as the only Catamounts to play all 90 minutes of the night … Campbell, Mueth, and Trudel are yet to miss a minute in the Purple and Gold's 2024 campaign
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Western Carolina returns home in nonconference action, hosting the Longwood Lancers at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the on-campus Catamount Athletics Complex. The last two matchups with the Lancers have ended in scoreless draws.
Keep track of everything related to Catamount women's soccer and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@wcu_catamounts), and Twitter (@catamounts, @Catamountsoccer).
