Knoxville, Tenn. – A penalty kick awarded in the opening minute set the tone early as the Western Carolina women's soccer team went toe-to-toe with 16th-ranked Tennessee on Sunday before falling 4-0 at the Regal Soccer Stadium.
The Lady Vols struck early from the penalty spot as Kylee Simmons notched what proved to be the game-winning goal on a PK after a foul was whistled on Alexandra Grammenopoulos. The home side continued their offensive effort, firing three more shots and three corner kicks before Shae O'Rourke netted Tennessee's second goal in the 11th minute on a header.
After the early onslaught, the Catamounts settled into play against the nationally-ranked opposition. WCU launched a corner kick in the 23rd minute but were unable to threaten the Tennessee defense throughout the first 45 minutes. Sophomore goalkeeper Amara Yetka faced 13 shots and recorded six saves through the opening frame of play.
Malia Roberts began the second half on time with a shot for the Catamounts in the opening seconds, but was unable to put the attack on frame. Yetka denied the next five on-target shots by the Lady Vols before Jayla Blue netted the third goal of the night for the home squad in the latter stages of the match.
The Lady Vols struck a fourth time in the 85th minute, courtesy of Olivia Feagin. Yetka closed the night with back-to-back saves, denying the deflection as #16 Tennessee claimed the 4-0 victory.
The Catamounts fell to 1-2-1 on the season, while Tennessee maintained its perfect 4-0 start, capitalizing on the pair of early markers and the two late in the clock. The Lady Vols have scored four goals in three of their four matches this season.
In total, the Lady Vols barraged the Catamounts with 33 shots, putting 16 on frame, to go along with 10 corner kicks. The Catamounts committed a match-high 10 fouls to Tennessee's four.
Catamount Notables:
- The Catamounts faced 33 Tennessee shots, the most allowed in a match since a 3-0 loss to Auburn in 2010.
- Amara Yetka recorded a career-high 12 saves in the loss, the most by a single Catamount goalkeeper since Jacquelyn Gnassi recorded 14 vs. Samford in 2017
- (Leanne Trudel and Melody Mezzina combined for 12 saves vs Clemson in 2022).
- 22 Catamounts saw the pitch in Sunday's road matchup at Tennessee, with Alexandra Grammenopoulos, Alexe Drolet, Rylie Niemeyer, and Amara Yetka playing the full 90 minutes.
- The Catamounts were one of three Southern Conference members to fall by four goals to Power 4 opposition on Sunday, joining Furman (4-0 vs. South Carolina) and UNCG (5-1 vs. Iowa). Tennessee was the only of those P4 foes ranked in the top-25, though Iowa was receiving votes.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Western Carolina returns to home action on Aug. 30 to host directional rival East Carolina at the Catamount Athletics Complex. Kickoff against the Pirates is set for 1 p.m. The Catamounts remain at home to host the NC State Wolfpack on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. to close out the early homestretch.
WCU then hits the road on Sept. 6 to take on West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga. for a 1 p.m. start before swinging up to the Buckeye State to battle Miami (OH) on Sept. 11.
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics & Catamount Football:
Monday, Aug. 24 – Catamount Football Weekly (Live on-location, Catamount Jaxe, 6 p.m.)
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)
