Cullowhee, N.C. -- The Western Carolina soccer team looks to rebound from a midweek nonconference road loss, seeking a second consecutive home win as the Catamounts host the Longwood Lancers at the Catamount Athletics Complex on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 1 p.m.
Sunday's Match-Up:
Western Carolina (1-2-0, 0-0-0 SoCon) vs Longwood Lancers (0-2-0, 0-0-0 Big South)
Cullowhee, N.C. | 1:00 p.m. | Catamount Athletics Complex
Live Stats:
https://tinyurl.com/nvt4xhvs
Watch (ESPN+):
https://tinyurl.com/bde967je
2023 Records:
Western Carolina (13-5-3, 7-2-0 SoCon)
Longwood (5-7-5, 3-2-3 Big South)
Quick Cuts:
The Catamounts and Lancers have only played five times since 2005 with four of those matchups coming in the last 10 years -- though series wins have been difficult to come by for both teams. Three of previous five matchups have resulted in draws, with the last two resulting in scoreless ties coming in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Purple and Gold are the only team to find a victory in the series, earning a 1-0 win in 2015 and a 2-0 win in the 2005 matchup.
The Catamounts are no strangers to Big South opponents, going 3-0 against the conference last year and outscoring the opposition 10-1 with wins against UNC Asheville, Winthrop, and Presbyterian. The Lancers are the second Big South team for WCU this year, hanging six goals on UNC Asheville in the home opener last weekend. For Longwood, it's most recent matchup against the Southern Conference saw the Lancers score two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 win over VMI in 2023.
Players to Watch:
The trio of
Isabella DeMarco,
Naya Marcil, and
Milla Syska are due for another goal or two. The three standout Catamounts have combined for 35 of the Purple and Gold's 52 shots this season and 13 of the team's 27 shots on goal. Marcil and Syska both have goals on the season with Marcil adding an assist to her total. But it is only a matter of time before the reigning SoCon Player of the Year finds the back of the net for the first time this season. Additionally, defender
Becca Campbell has scored a goal in back-to-back games, and has an opportunity to make it three straight against the Lancers.
The Lancers are still searching for their first goal of the season after suffering shutout losses to Loyola (Md.) and Davidson to open the season. Being held scoreless through its first two opportunities this season is not due to a lack of trying. Freshman Taylor Hoag leads the team in shots on goa with three scoring opportunities across her four shots on the season. Sophomore midfielder Meghan Piazza leads the team in total shots, taking five on the year so far.
Up Next for The Catamounts
The initial opening sprint of the 2024 campaign will slow down as the Catamounts head into an open week before taking on the Georgia State Panthers on Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. in Atlanta. They'll then host their third Big South team of the season on Sept. 5 as the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs come to Cullowhee for a 7 p.m. kick.
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).
