Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's soccer returns to the comfortable confines of the Catamount Athletic Complex for its first of four consecutive home matches as the Catamounts host the surging Presbyterian Blue Hose for a Thursday night fight under the lights.
Only the second all-time meeting between the two programs on the pitch, Thursday's match is set for a 7 p.m. kick.
Both teams entered the week red-hot late. WCU looks to build on its four-match unbeaten streak while the Blue Hose put a five-game run of their own on the line. The Catamounts are 2-0-2 in their last four outings, without surrendering a goal in the previous three (3-0 W at Georgia State, 4-0 W vs Gardner-Webb, 0-0 T at East Carolina). Presbyterian has posted a 4-0-1 record in their last five, outscoring their opposition 13-4 in that span (2-1 W at Furman, 2-0 W vs Southern Wesleyan, 4-1 W vs South Carolina State, 3-0 W at The Citadel, 2-2 T vs Georgia State).
Thursday's Match-Up:
Western Carolina (3-2-2, 0-0-0 SoCon) vs Presbyterian (5-1-1, 0-0-0 Big South)
Cullowhee, N.C. | 7:00 p.m. | Catamount Athletic Complex
Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/nvt4xhvs
Watch: https://tinyurl.com/y8hfhnd5
2023 Records:
Western Carolina (13-5-3, 7-2-0 SoCon)
Presbyterian (3-10-3, 2-4-2 Big South)
Quick Cuts:
Thursday's meeting will be just the second match played between Presbyterian and the Catamounts, with last year's 4-0 shutout giving the Purple and Gold the 1-0 edge in the series. All four goals and 12 points scored in the outing were recorded by returning players, as Maggie Lloyd, Naya Marcil, Kirsten Hahn, and Alexis DeMarco scored a goal each. Marcil chipped in an assist on Lloyd's goal, while Isabella DeMarco put the work in on three assists, the second most in a single game in Catamount history.
The Catamounts are running through the Big South in the non-conference schedule as the Blue Hose represent the fourth opponent from the conference. WCU has outscored Big South teams12-3 in the previous three meetings this season, going 2-0-1 in those matchups, all of which were played on the home pitch. Presbyterian has put in a similar effort on the Southern Conference this season, going 3-0 against Wofford (3-2), Furman (2-1), and The Citadel (3-0).
Players to Watch:
The Catamount defensive backline consisting of Becca Campbell, Mary Mueth, Samantha Whitaker, and Abbie Wise with GK Leanne Trudel between the pipes will look to shut down a Presbyterian attack that averages 13 shots and 8.67 shots on goal against SoCon competition. The Catamounts haven't given up more than seven SOG since the season opener with Florida, thanks in large part to the efforts of Campbell and the defenders in limiting opportunities for the opposition. Last season, Presbyterian only managed four shots in the 4-0 loss, putting two on net.
The Catamount triumvirate of Isabella DeMarco, Naya Marcil, and Milla Syska will look to start off hot once again, as the trio has combined for 79 shots, 39 of which were on goal. Both numbers are more than 50% of the team's totals. DeMarco is tied first in total shots in the SoCon with 32 on the season. Both DeMarco and Mercer's Larkin Thomason average 4.57 shots per contest.
Presbyterian has five student-athletes who have put at least five shots on goal this season, though they are led by junior Lina-Marie Muller. She has rattled the cage this season, collecting four goals and three assists on 20 shot – 10 of which were on goal. Behind her is fellow junior Lindsey Malyszek, who has recorded three goals on only eight shots this season.
PC has posted senior goalkeeper Kelly Hall between the pipes for all seven of their outings this season. Hall has two shutout wins this season against Southern Wesleyan and The Citadel and has collected 30 saves so far in the 2024 campaign. The Suwanee, Ga. product has collected 5+ saves in four outings this season, going 2-1-2 in those matches.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Western Carolina will honor its star-studded senior class as it hosts the Winthrop Eagles for Senior Day on Sunday, September 14 at 2:00 p.m. They'll then look to open SoCon play against the Samford Bulldogs on Thursday, September 19 in a rematch of last season's SoCon Championship bout.
