Charleston, S.C. – Senior Isabella DeMarco continued her strong offensive week on Sunday afternoon, scoring a first-half brace, including the game-winner coming in the fifth minute, while classmate Leanne Trudel turned in her school-record 29th career clean sheet as Western Carolina blanked The Citadel 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Washington Light Infantry Field.

The Catamounts put on a defensive showcase on the road, limiting The Citadel to just three shots as Trudel eased past former Catamount Caitlin Williams (28, 2007-10) with her 29th shutout.

WCU improved to 7-4-3 overall and 3-1-1 in Southern Conference play, while The Citadel dropped to 4-6-2 and 1-3-1 in the SoCon.  

DeMarco wasted no time in making an impact in her senior season homecoming of sorts, as the Charleston native struck for the game-winner on the game's first shot in the fifth minute. Lucie Bertrand forced a turnover deep in The Citadel's territory, tapping the ball to Milla Syska, who took one touch to send it to DeMarco, who outflanked the Cadet keeper for the score.

The Catamounts outshot The Citadel 7-3 in the following 30 minutes, before Sofia Goclowski connected with DeMarco for her second goal of the afternoon. Goclowski raced down the sideline to keep a loose ball in play before lofting it into the box, where DeMarco floated a shot over goalkeeper Sarah Wethington.

Neither team was credited with a shot attempt for the remainder of the first half, as the Catamounts took a 2-0 lead into the break.

Holding a comfortable lead in the second half, the Catamounts were content to mostly sit on the advantage, with an outstanding defensive effort denying any credited shot attempts to The Citadel for the final 45 minutes despite increased intensity by the hosts. WCU outshot the Bulldogs 8-0 In the second half, including a late goal scored by Gabriela Vatrano on a nifty move on the left wing and a left-footed strike for the 3-0 advantage.  

In total, the Catamounts held a 17-3 advantage in shots and a 9-1 edge in shots on goal. WCU also led in corner kicks, firing off the only three in the match.

Catamount Notables:

• Senior Leanne Trudel became WCU's all-time leader in career shutouts, picking up the 29th clean sheet of her career in the win. She's picked up 90 saves in those shutouts … The victory also moved Trudel to within seven wins shy of matching former GK Mandi Tinsley (44, 1999-02).
• The Catamounts have scored 12 goals in their last two matches and have outshot their opponents 83-23 in the last three outings.  
• Isabella DeMarco notched her second consecutive multi-goal game, recording a brace in the first half. She has scored five goals in the last two matches – all coming within the first 45 minutes of play.
• Gabriela Vatrano scored her second goal of the season in the final minutes of the match that provided the final tally.
• Freshman Addison Davis joined Mary Mueth and Leanne Trudel as the only Catamounts to play the full 90 minutes of the match.

Up Next for The Catamounts:

WCU is back at home to honor an outstanding senior class on Friday, Oct. 10, as it hosts the Wofford Terriers in Southern Conference play. Kick is scheduled for 7 p.m., with senior ceremonies for Isabella DeMarco, Milla Syska, Ava Robitaille, Abbie Wise, and Leanne Trudel to take place before kick.

The Catamounts then hit the road for a big midweek matchup against ETSU on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in Johnson City, Tenn.