Cullowhee, N.C. – Powered once again by outstanding junior striker Milla Syska, Western Carolina women's soccer recorded its fourth straight shutout victory with a 1-0 decision over the visiting Mercer Bears on Sunday afternoon in Southern Conference play at the Catamount Athletic Complex. WCU is the only team to record six crucial points on the league's opening week, posting a pair of victories (2-0-0) at home to start its title defense.  

Catamount goalkeeper Leanne Trudel and the Purple and Gold defense continued their incredible run in the pivotal conference bout, adding a seventh consecutive shutout to their total this season.  

Syska's second consecutive game-winning goal came courtesy of Samantha Whitaker, who put the ball back into play on a throw-in deep in Bears territory. Syska corralled the toss and recovered the ball after it bounced up in the air before rocketing a shot over the outstretched hands of Mercer keeper Lindsay Bell for the 1-0 lead.  

WCU's depth proved to be the difference on an unseasonably warm after as 18 Catamounts saw at least 10 minutes of action in the conference tilt with 17 recording at least 20 minutes of playing time. Mercer only had five non-starters enter the match with three seeing the field for 15+ minutes.  

With the win, the Catamounts are the only seven-win team in the SoCon and the only conference squad to go 2-0 to open the SoCon slate. WCU sits alone at the top of the conference standings with six points and is followed by Furman, ETSU, and UNCG at four points apiece. Wofford, Samford, and Chattanooga are each tied with three points while the Mercer Bears have one point after their conference opening draw with Furman. VMI and The Citadel are still on the hunt for their first conference points of the season after starting the initial slate 0-2.  

How it Happened:  

The Catamounts uncharacteristically started off the match flat-footed as the Bears recorded the first two shots of the day in the fifth minute, both of which were collected by Trudel who finished the day with four saves. She remains the only keeper to post two clean sheets in conference play this season. Through the first 15 minutes, the Catamounts were outshot 3-1 with Mercer putting all three shots on target as the two top offenses in the conference looked to find their footing.  

The match flipped in the 23rd minute, though, as the Catamounts fired a flurry of shots and kept the pressure on the Mercer defense. WCU's increased attack culminated in Milla Syska's second goal of the conference season and eighth of the year. The two teams combined for 12 more shots to close out the first 45 minutes of play, but only put two on target.  

The second half belonged to the Catamounts, who outshot Mercer 12-4 in the final period of play. The Purple and Gold backline welcomed Maddie Lopez to its ranks, seeing an increase in action on the Catamount defense in place of Becca Campbell, who was in and out of the matchup after an injury in the first half. Abbie Wise, Mary Mueth, Samantha Whitaker and Lopez tightened up in the second half, limiting Mercer's offensive opportunities as the Catamounts held on for the 1-0 win.  

Catamount Notables: 

·       The Catamounts are the only SoCon team to go 2-0 to open conference play, posting shutout wins over both Samford and Mercer; 

·       Leanne Trudel recorded her seventh consecutive shutout, adding to her and the 2024 team's program record;

·       Milla Syska recorded her team leading eighth goal of the season and her fourth game-winning goal of 2024; 

·       Lilliana Iacofano entered the match for only the second time this season, recording 12 minutes of relief effort primarily for Isabella DeMarco in the second half … the freshman took two shots from the left wing and kept the pressure on the Bear backline;

·       Sophomore defender Samantha Whitaker recorded her first career point after connecting with Milla Syska on the throw-in for the Catamount's game-winning goal.

Up Next for the Catamounts: 

WCU has a bit of an extended break before hitting the road to face the Furman Paladins in Southern Conference play down in Greenville, S.C., on Friday, Sept. 27. The Catamounts snapped a four-game slide to their chromatic rival in Cullowhee a season ago with a 1-0 victory in late October.