Cullowhee, N.C. -- With the 2024 women's soccer campaign just around the corner, the defending Southern Conference regular-season and tournament champion Western Carolina Catamounts are poised for their first action of the year as they hit the road to take on the High Point Panthers in a preseason tune-up this weekend.
Saturday's Matchup:
August 10 | 7:00 p.m. | Vert Stadium | High Point, N.C.
2023 Records: Western Carolina (13-5-3-; 7-2 SoCon) at High Point (6-5-7; 4-1-3 Big South)
* Neither live stats nor a live stream will be provided for the exhibition match. *
Quick Cuts:
High Point and WCU have seen each other on the pitch a handful of times over the years with the Catamounts holding a 3-0-2 edge in the all-time series with High Point. The first matchup in the Catamounts' inaugural season resulted in a 1-1 draw at High Point. The Panthers have only hosted two of the five regular-season matchups, both resulting in 1-1 draws. The most recent road match came in 2014 and ended at one-all following two extra periods of play.
The Panthers battled against only one SoCon opponent last season, taking a 1-0 win in Greensboro against UNCG. Meanwhile, the Catamounts faced three Big South opponents in 2023 winning all three against UNC Asheville, Winthrop, and Presbyterian. WCU outscored the opposition in those matches, 10-1, scoring two shutout wins over UNCA (1-0) and Presbyterian (4-0) with an explosive victory over the Eagles (5-1).
Last Match Out:
Both teams made their respective conference tournaments, but only the Catamounts enjoyed a successful run. High Point fell in a 2-0 shutout to the #2 seed USC Upstate Spartans in the Big South Tournament. The Catamounts strung together three consecutive shutout wins on their home field in the SoCon tournament, taking down Wofford (5-0), Furman (1-0), and Samford (1-0) en route to the conference crown. The Catamounts 2023 season came to a close in the NCAA tournament after falling the Alabama 2-0.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Following the exhibition match, Western Carolian opens the 2024 campaign in exciting fashion as it takes on the Florida Gators for the first time in program history on August 16 in Gainesville, Fla. The Catamounts then have a quick turnaround as they host the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in Cullowhee on August 18th.
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).
