Cullowhee, N.C. -- The Western Carolina Catamounts are still rolling after collecting six straight shutouts and will look to continue their run as they host a ferocious Mercer Bears team which fields one of the most potent offensive attacks in the SoCon.
Both teams come into the match as the only SoCon teams to record six wins on the season, though the Catamounts are the only squad of the two to notch a Southern Conference win after their 2-0 win over Samford. Mercer battled to a 1-1 draw with Furman Thursday night, but dominated their non-conference slate. Both teams average over 18.5 shots per game and boast .500+ shot on goal percentages to go along with their 20+ goals scored on the season.
Sunday's Matchup
Western Carolina (6-2-2, 1-0-0 SoCon) vs Mercer (6-2-2, 0-0-1 SoCon)
Cullowhee, N.C. | 2:00 p.m. | Catamount Athletic Complex
Live Stats:
https://tinyurl.com/nvt4xhvs
Watch (ESPN+):
https://tinyurl.com/y8hfhnd5
2023 Records:
Western Carolina (13-5-3, 7-2-0 SoCon)
Mercer (10-6-5, 4-4-1 SoCon)
Around the Conference:
#1 Western Carolina vs #5 Mercer | 2:00 p.m. | 9/22/2024
#2 Chattanooga vs #10 Samford | 1:00 p.m. | 9/22/2024
#3 ETSU at #4 UNCG | 1:00 p.m. | 9/22/2024
#6 Furman vs #8 VMI | 2:00 p.m. | 9/22/2024
#7 The Citadel vs #9 Wofford | 2:00 p.m. | 9/22/2024
Quick Cuts:
The Catamounts and Bears are set to duke it out for the 14th time in series history Sunday afternoon, with WCU trailing 5-8 all-time to Mercer, though the Purple and Gold took a 2-1 win over Mercer in Macon in their sole meeting last season. Last season's 2-1 win snapped a four-game skid in the series, with the last Catamount victory coming in 2019. Four of the last five meetings have occurred in Macon, where the Bears hold a 4-5 record. In fact, Sunday's bout will be only the fifth played at the Catamount Athletic Complex, where the Purple and Gold are 1-3 against Mercer, but the Catamounts are 12-0-1 in their last 13 at home.
The two teams have seen a handful of similar opponents this season, as both teams went 3-0 against the trifecta of UNC Asheville, Georgia State, and Presbyterian. The Catamounts outscored those three teams 10-1 with shutout wins over Georgia State and Presbyterian while the Bears outscored that same opposition 8-1 while shutting out UNC Asheville and Presbyterian.
Players to Watch
Reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week
Milla Syska looks to continue her streak of strong play. Syska has recorded a goal in three straight matchups, burying the game-winner against Presbyterian and Samford on the home pitch.
Alexis DeMarco has connected with Syska on her last three goals and is on a three-match points streak herself.
The Catamount backline has produced elite results in recent weeks, holding the opposition to an average of 7.14 shots per game during the Purple and Gold's seven match undefeated streak. More impressively, they are conceding only three shots on goal per game as
Becca Campbell,
Abbie Wise,
Samantha Whitaker, and
Mary Mueth have helped keep standout goalkeeper
Leanne Trudel clean in recent weeks.
The formidable Catamount defense will have their hands full against a Mercer attack that is as potent as WCU's. The Bears are led by prolific goal-scorer Larkin Thomason, who leads the conference with nine goals this season. Thomason rarely sees a shot she doesn't like, as the Mercer striker has already posted 51 shots on the season, putting 30 on target so far. While Thomason earns most of the spotlight, the Bears field a second offensive weapon in Jada Moorman, who has five goals and two assists this season.
Mercer's Lindsey Bell has seen all 900:00 possible minutes of game action for the Bears between the pipes, posting 25 saves and four shutouts through her ten starts this season.
Up Next for The Catamounts
WCU will hit the road for the first time since their 0-0 draw at East Carolina as they take on the Furman Paladins in Greenville for their first of two matches under the Friday night lights this season. Kick for the September 27 showdown is set for 7:00 p.m.
