Cullowhee, N.C. – Squaring off in one of the most pivotal matches of the 2025 Southern Conference regular season, the Western Carolina women's soccer team returns to the road for the final time as the Catamounts visit mountain-rival East Tennessee State on Thursday night in Johnson City, Tenn. The rivalry matchup between two of the top three seeds in the league is scheduled for a 6 p.m.
The Catamounts and Buccaneers meet for what could potentially be the most influential matchup on the SoCon standings this season. WCU enters the week as the No. 2 seed with 13 points, while ETSU (12 points) maintains a hold of the third seed, both chasing league-leading Samford (14 pts). The Catamounts are 8-4-3 and 4-1-1 in conference play, while the Bucs are 8-2-5 overall and 3-0-3 in SoCon play, both with three matches remaining.
Thursday night's matchup will be livestreamed on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available on CatamountSports.com.
Thursday's Matchup:
Western Carolina (8-4-3, SoCon 4-1-1) at ETSU (8-2-5, SoCon 3-0-3)
Johnson City, Tenn. | Summers-Taylor Stadium | 6 p.m.
Watch (ESPN+): https://tinyurl.com/e2d473kt
Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/wb7f6tzd
Quick Cuts:
The Catamounts and Bucs meet for the 23rd time in an even series, with the Catamounts holding a 10-9-3 edge over their Blue Ridge rival. The two squads battled to a physical scoreless draw in Cullowhee last season as the Catamounts were shut out for the only time in SoCon play in the 2024 regular season. The year prior, ETSU claimed a 1-0 victory in Johnson City in the regular-season finale, though the Catamounts had already secured the top seed in the SoCon tournament.
WCU's last win in Johnson City came in overtime in 2019, with the Catamounts taking a 2-1 victory following a goal by Kate Swartwout in the 105th minute.
Western Carolina enters Thursday's matchup on a three-match winning streak, downing VMI, The Citadel, and Wofford in that span by a margin of 13-0. The Catamounts are 4-1-1 in conference play and have the strongest goal differential (+13) in SoCon matches, netting 17 markers and conceding a conference-low four goals so far this season.
ETSU rides into the week on an 11-match unbeaten streak, going 7-0-4 in that span. The last loss for the Bucs came in a 2-0 defeat on the road against Eastern Kentucky, with ETSU rallying to outscore its opponents 18-7 in that span. The Bucs have allowed only four goals in conference play this season, but have also only scored nine goals of their own on 34 shots on goal.
The two teams share only one common opponent in the nonconference slate in the Longwood Lancers. ETSU claimed a 1-0 win over the Lancers, outshooting the Big South foe 14-1 in the home contest. The Catamounts posted 19 shots to Longwood's eight in a 0-0 draw, launching 10 corner kicks in the scoreless bout.
Around the SoCon (10/16/25):
#1 Samford (7-2-5, 4-0-2 SoCon) at #6 Mercer (7-5-2, 2-2-2 SoCon) | Macon, Ga. | 7 p.m.
#2 Western Carolina (8-4-3, 4-1-1 SoCon) at #3 ETSU (8-2-5, 3-0-3 SoCon) | Johnson City, Tenn. | 6 p.m.
#4 Furman (8-2-4, 2-1-3 SoCon) at #5 Chattanooga (8-4-3, 2-2-2 SoCon) | Chattanooga, Tenn. | 7 p.m.
#7 UNCG (3-9-2, 2-2-2 SoCon) vs #8 The Citadel (5-6-2, 2-3-1 SoCon) | Greensboro, N.C. | 6 p.m.
#9 Wofford (3-8-5, 0-4-2 SoCon) at #10 VMI (1-13-1, 0-6-0 SoCon) | Lexington, Va. | 3 p.m.
2025 SoCon Standings (Entering Oct. 16):
#1 – Samford – 14 points (4-0-2)
#2 – Western Carolina – 13 points (4-1-1)
#3 – ETSU – 12 points (3-0-3)
#4 – Furman – 9 points (2-1-3)
#5 – Chattanooga – 8 points (2-2-2)
#6 – Mercer – 8 points (2-2-2)
#7 – UNCG – 8 points (2-2-2)
#8 – The Citadel – 7 points (2-3-1)
#9 – Wofford – 2 points (0-4-2)
#10 – VMI – 0 points (0-6-0)
Players to Watch:
Thursday's matchup features two of the top goal scorers in the Southern Conference as WCU's Isabella DeMarco and Reagan Fitzgerald of ETSU go head-to-head. Fitzgerald ranks second in the conference in total goals (9) scored and points (21), though she has struggled to produce in the conference slate with just seven points coming on two goals and three assists. Isabella DeMarco has come into her own in SoCon, with eight of her nine goals scored this season coming against league opposition.
Outside of DeMarco, the Catamounts are led by Milla Syska and Sofia Goclowski, who have recorded 10 points apiece this season. Syska has helped facilitate DeMarco's success this season, connecting with WCU's leading goal scorer on four of her goals, three of which have come in SoCon play.
Defensively, Leanne Trudel has established herself as one of the top goalkeepers in the conference after a slow start to the season. The Longueuil, Quebec, product leads the conference in save percentage in SoCon matches (86.7%) and has allowed the second-fewest goals (4) in SoCon play amongst starting goalkeepers.
ETSU has been led recently by Jada Cooper, who has seven points off three goals and an assist in conference play. She also leads the team in shots on goal in the conference slate, posting nine to Reagan Fitzgerald's eight.
Goalkeeper Addison Yelton is enjoying a strong season between the posts for the Bucs thanks to a strong defense in front of her, which has only surrendered 91 shots through Yelton's 14 matches. She's conceded 10 goals this season, but only three have come in SoCon play. Yelton's posted six shutout efforts this year, blanking North Alabama, Longwood, West Georgia, UNC Asheville, UNC Greensboro, and Wofford.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
WCU returns to the Catamount Athletic Complex to finish off the 2025 regular season as the Catamounts host UNC Greensboro on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. and Chattanooga in the regular-season finale on Sunday, Oct. 26, with a 2 p.m. kick.
Admission at the Catamount Athletics Complex is free all season long, courtesy of First Bank.
