Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's soccer hits the road for the first time in 2026 on Thursday, traveling to Boone, N.C., for the first of back-to-back road matches as the Catamounts face archrival Appalachian State. Kickoff of the rivalry matchup is set for 6 p.m. at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
Thursday's matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com.
Both teams enter Thursday's early-season matchup level with a win and a loss on the ledger.
Thursday's Matchup:
Western Carolina (1-1-0, 0-0-0 SoCon) at Appalachian State (1-1-0, 0-0-0 Sun Belt)
Boone, N.C. | 6 p.m. | Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
Watch (ESPN+): https://tinyurl.com/396vy286
Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/s9xv3w3c
Quick Cuts:
The Catamounts and Mountaineers meet for the 17th time in series history, with Western Carolina leading the overall series, 11-4-1. The former conference foes renewed the rivalry series last season, with the Mountaineers earning a 3-2 win in the first matchup since 2013. WCU has enjoyed lengthy winning streaks in the mountain rivalry, with the longest being a seven-match unbeaten streak stretching from 2005-2011. However, the Purple and Gold's last win over the Apps in Boone came back in 2008, when the Catamounts triumphed in a 3-2 decision.
WCU enters Thursday's match after falling 2-1 to UNC Wilmington last time out. The Seahawks scored in the first two minutes before the Catamounts evened the match in the eighth minute. However, an own goal in the 34th minute gave UNCW a lead, it did not relinquish, though the Catamounts held the Seahawks scoreless in the second half.
Appalachian State comes into their home match with a 1-1 record as well, most recently earning a hard-fought 3-1 win over Campbell in Buies Creek. The Mountaineers outshot the Fighting Camels 16-14, though Campbell put seven shots on frame to six by the Apps.
Despite being so early in the season, the Catamounts and Mountaineers already have a common opponent in UNCW. Both teams fell at home to the Seahawks, with Appalachian State dropping their season opener 3-0. The Catamounts fell in a 2-1 matchup in Cullowhee in their second match of the season.
Players to Watch:
The Catamounts have been led offensively this season by Gabriela Vatrano, who posted a second-half brace in WCU's season-opening come-from-behind win over Winthrop. The junior midfielder has been efficient for the Catamounts so far this season, putting all three of her shot attempts on frame.
Outside of Vatrano, three other Catamounts have netted a goal this season, with two more registering a point. Lauryn Smith, Samantha Vibberts, and Malia Roberts have each scored goals so far, with Roberts' header against UNCW being the most recent. Mackenzie Howard and Darien Vita have posted assists, with Howard notching the helper on one of Vatrano's goals against Winthrop and Vita recording hers on a corner kick to Roberts against UNCW.
Two goalkeepers have seen time between the posts for the Catamounts this season, with Amara Yetka recently playing the full 90 minutes against UNCW. Yetka has seen the pitch for three full halves so far this season, posting shutouts in two separate 45-minute periods. Freshman Elizabeth Rupert earned the start in WCU's season opener against Winthrop, picking up a save in her first collegiate action.
Appalachian State was led by sophomore Libby Bermingham in their win against Campbell, with the Warrington, England native posting a second-half brace. Reagan Sturgill recorded the first Mountaineer goal of the season in the 48th minute against Campbell, with assists from Lucy Harrington and former Catamount Sofia Goclowski. After ranking third on the team last season with 53 shots and second with 22 shots on goal and averaging 65 minutes of action, Goclowski has fired only one shot in 110 total minutes in the young season.
Returning goalkeeper Hannah Skogfors played the full two games for the Mountaineers, securing eight saves while conceding four goals on 24 shots in her two matches.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
The Catamounts remain on the road for the weekend, traveling to Rocky Top to take on Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. Kick with the 16th-ranked Lady Vols is set for Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.
The Catamounts then have a week away from the pitch before a pair of in-state matchups, as they host the East Carolina Pirates and the NC State Wolfpack on Aug. 30 and Sept. 3. Kick with ECU is set for 1 p.m., with the Catamounts set to battle the ACC foe at 7 p.m.
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics:
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)
