Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina and in-state foe UNC Wilmington managed a pair of quick-fire goals inside the first eight minutes of Sunday's nonconference match, with WCU's Malia Roberts heading home a Darien Vita corner kick for the equalizing marker. The Seahawks then benefitted from an own goal in the 34th minute to break the tie, which proved to be the game-winner as neither team broke through in the second half at the Catamount Athletic Complex, with UNCW escaping with a 2-1 victory.
UNCW's Caigan Leonard opened the scoring early, netting a goal on the first shot of the afternoon just two minutes into the match. The Seahawks applied consistent pressure through the opening minutes, tacking on two more shots before the Catamounts saw their first opportunity.
Gabriela Vatrano nearly scratched across her third goal of the season, but a diving save by UNCW's Zoe Anderson resulted in a corner kick for the Catamounts. Freshman Darien Vita fired the corner kick into the middle of the box, where Malia Roberts took to the skies to head the ball down and into the back of the net for the game-tying goal.
Following the initial sprint, the two teams were evenly matched through the first half as UNCW fired four shots to WCU's three, though the Catamounts took three more corner kicks to the Seahawks two.
The difference in the match came in the 34th minute, as a UNCW cross from a corner kick was redirected by a Catamount defender, headed past keeper Amara Yetka for the go-ahead score.
UNCW managed the pace of play in the second half, outshooting the Catamounts 8-1, though only one was on target. Hailey Longwell fired four shots for the Seahawks in the second half alone, but hit the right post on a penalty and collected the crossbar on a redirected cross moments later. The Catamounts took one shot in the second half, with Malia Roberts sending an attempt high of the net.
In total, the Seahawks outshot the Catamounts 15-6 (4-3) and took eight corner kicks to WCU's five. UNCW picked up three saves to WCU's two, with all three coming in the first half.
With the loss, the Catamounts fall to 1-1 on the season, while UNCW advances to 2-0, with both wins coming on the road.
Catamount Notables:
- The Catamounts are now 3-1-0 all-time against UNCW, with Sunday's loss being the first in series history.
- Malia Roberts netted her third career goal in Sunday's match. Roberts is the fourth Catamount to score a goal this season and is now second on the team with three points in total.
- Darien Vita recorded her first career point, assisting Malia Roberts in WCU's sole goal.
- Three Catamounts played the full 90 minutes, as Amara Yetka, Rylie Niemeyer, and Samantha Whitaker went the distance, the first for WCU this season.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Western Carolina head coach Chad Miller will be one of four featured guests on Monday evening's "Catamount Coaches Show," live on-location at Catamount Jaxe in Cullowhee for the 2026 Fall Sports Preview. The show begins at 6 p.m. and also airs on the WCU Athletics Facebook page (fb.com/catamountsports) and the department's YouTube channel (youtube.com/catamountsports).
WCU is back in action on Thursday as the Catamounts hit the road for the first time in 2026 to take on archrival Appalachian State for a 6 p.m. kick. The Mountaineers fell 3-0 to UNCW in their season opener.
The Catamounts remain on the road to take on the Tennessee Lady Vols on Aug. 23 for a 6 p.m. start in Knoxville, Tenn.
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics:
Monday, Aug. 17 – First day of classes for the 2026 fall semester – Cullowhee
Mon., Aug. 17 – Catamount Coaches Show – Fall Sports Preview (at Catamount Jaxe, 6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 21 – Volleyball Exhibition – vs. Anderson (Ramsey Center, 6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 21 – Catamount Shootout Golf Tournament (Marion Lake Club, Nebo, N.C.)
Saturday, Aug. 29 – Catamount Football season-opener vs. Eastern Kentucky (7 p.m.)
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Volleyball Home Opener – vs. Gardner-Webb (Ramsey Center, 6 p.m.)
Sept. 13-15 – Men's Golf – JT Poston Invitational – (Waynesville Inn & Golf Club)
Friday, Oct. 2 – Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament – (Sequoyah National, Cherokee)
