Cullowhee, N.C. – Two in-state and unbeaten foes square-off on Sunday afternoon in an early-season test for both as Western Carolina hosts UNC Wilmington at the on-campus Catamount Athletic Complex. Kick against the Seahawks is set for 1 p.m.
Western Carolina turned a two-goal deficit into a two-goal victory on Thursday night in its season opener, rallying past Winthrop 4-2, while UNCW opened its westward trek with a 3-0 blanking of Appalachian State in Boone.
Admission to Sunday's match – and for each of WCU's regular season matches in Cullowhee – is free of charge. Additionally, Sunday's game will be streamed on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com.
Sunday's Matchup:
Western Carolina 1-0-0, 0-0-0 SoCon) vs UNCW (1-0-0, 0-0-0 CAA)
Cullowhee, N.C. | 1 p.m. | Catamount Athletic Complex
Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/2xay3d2u
Watch (ESPN+): https://tinyurl.com/3y8u9zv5
Quick Cuts:
The Catamounts and Seahawks meet for only the fourth time in series history, though this year's contest marks consecutive seasons the two have faced off. WCU is 3-0 against the instate sister school, though the Seahawks have outshot the Catamounts in all three previous matchups. The Catamounts claimed a 2-0 road win over the eventual Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) South Division champions last fall, scoring a pair of second-half goals to fuel the win.
Both teams picked up season-opening wins on Thursday night, as the Catamounts clawed their way back from two down to come away with a 4-2 victory against the Winthrop Eagles. After allowing two goals on six shots through the first 28 minutes of the opening half, the Catamounts buckled down defensively, not allowing another attack for the rest of the half while pouring in two goals on eight shots. In total, the Catamounts outshot Winthrop 17 to 12, with a slight 8-6 edge in shots on target. Winthrop earned nine corner kick opportunities to WCU's five.
UNCW comes into the matchup after picking up an emphatic 3-0 win on the road against Appalachian State, who WCU will face next Thursday. The Seahawks posted the eventual game-winning goal in the 15th minute, adding on insurance in a successful penalty kick in the 49th and a third goal in the 69th minutes. The two teams were evenly matched in all areas outside of the score, with UNCW outshooting Appalachian State 10 to 8, with a 6-3 edge in shots on target. The Mountaineers had one more corner kick than the Seahawks, with both teams picking up three saves.
Players to Watch:
Returner Gabriela Vatrano spearheaded the second-half surge for the Catamounts in the opener. The junior forward scored two goals on her only two attempts, including the game-winning goal in the 78th minute. Outside of Vatrano, Samantha Vibberts and freshman Lauryn Smith posted goals in the 4-2 win, with Vibberts scoring on a PK try in the 42nd minute. Western Kentucky transfer Mackenzie Howard and Malia Roberts recorded assists on Vatrano's goals.
True freshman Elizabeth Rupert and sophomore Amara Yetka split time between the posts, with the two recording a full half each. Rupert received the start in the season opener, picking up a save, while Yetka earned the win with three second-half saves.
Despite the Catamount backline returning the most experience of the WCU position groups, seven defenders saw significant minutes in the season opener. Samantha Whitaker saw the most game action on the roster with 83 minutes, with Mary Mueth recording 74 as they started along with Alexe Drolet and Rylie Niemeyer. Freshman Lauryn Smith recorded the opening goal for the Catamounts and played for 60 minutes, with South Alabama transfer Alexandra Grammenopoulos playing for 61. Additionally, freshman Piper Mathers saw 27 minutes of action in her collegiate debut.
UNCW returns its leading scorer from a year ago in Hailey Longwell. A transfer from Duquesne, Longwell led the Seahawks with seven goals and 18 points last season and notched the game-winning goal in UNCW's victory over App State. Midfielder Ava Vaughan recorded three points in the win, assisting Longwell on the game-winner and scoring a goal off a penalty kick in the 49th minute. Saint Louis transfer Caigan Leonard scored the third and final goal in UNCW's rout, scoring unassisted in the 69th minute.
The Seahawks had Sophomore Zoë Anderson and junior Lili White split time in the net against the Mountaineers. A returner who saw 200 minutes of action a year ago, Anderson received the start and earned the win as the two keepers posted a combined shutout with three saves.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Western Carolina hits the road for back-to-back matches next week, visiting the archrival Appalachian State Mountaineers in Boone, N.C. on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m., before trekking to Knoxville, Tenn. to face the Tennessee Lady Vols at 6 p.m. on Aug. 23. WCU then has a week away from competition before hosting in-state foes, East Carolina and NC State, on Aug. 30 and Sept. 3, respectively.
