Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's soccer dropped Sunday's battle of directional rivals, falling to the East Carolina Pirates 2-0 at the Catamount Athletic Complex. A pair of first-half goals, including a midfield strike by Ana Miotto, gave the Pirates the two-goal advantage, which they maintained throughout the remainder of the match.
Western Carolina started the afternoon with the first scoring attempt in the fourth minute, as Alexe Drolet knocked an Erika Gariepy corner kick into scoring range. ECU's veteran goalkeeper Olivia Dietrich responded to the attack, denying the early Catamount scoring opportunity. WCU fired two more corner kicks in the sequence, but were unable to put a shot on frame.
East Carolina nearly capitalized on an errant Catamount pass just outside the box, with Lauryn Taylor intercepting the backline distribution. Freshman goalkeeper Elizabeth Rupert charged off her line, though, forcing Taylor to take a quick shot, which the Catamount deflected for her first save.
The Pirates later broke through in the 17th minute with what proved to be the game-winning goal. Rupert denied a shot from Caitlen-Star Dolan Boodram, but she was unable to collect the rebound. AJ Mayock, ECU's shots leader, collected the loose ball and launched it into the net for her first goal of the season.
Rupert collected two more saves in her 45 minutes of play, but in the closing seconds of the half, ECU's Anna Miotto buried a shot from near midfield to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
WCU pushed in the second half, putting five shots on goal. However, ECU's Olivia Dietrich denied the Catamount attack, preserving her shutout win. Gabriela Vatrano fired three shots in the second-half surge, putting all of her attacks on frame as the Catamounts were turned away.
Western Carolina falls to 1-3-1 on the season and is set to host NC State next week. East Carolina picks up its first win of the season, moving to 1-2-3.
Catamount Notables:
- Four Catamount freshmen earned the start against East Carolina as Elizabeth Rupert, Katarina Schmidler, Alexandra Zents, and Darien Vita saw significant playing time. Piper Mathers, Lauryn Smith, and Brielle Von Colln also recorded game minutes against the Pirates.
- WCU split goalkeepers for the second time this season, with Elizabeth Rupert earning the starting nod before Amara Yetka finished the match. Rupert picked up four saves and conceded two goals in the first 45 minutes of play, while Yetka turned aside one goal and finished the match.
- Yetka has recorded a team-high 18 saves on the season, while Rupert has started a team-high three matches between the posts.
- The Catamounts were outshot 16-12 in their match with the Pirates, but both teams posted seven shots on goal. WCU has been outshot in their last four consecutive matches and has been outshot 87-39 through five matches this season.
- Opposing teams have also put 39 shots on goal to WCU's 20. However, the Catamounts have been efficient with their shots, sitting at a .513 shot-on-goal percentage.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Western Carolina remains at home on Thursday, Sept. 3, as the Catamounts host NC State on what is being billed as "Ted Lasso Night." Kick with the Wolfpack is set for 7 p.m. with the Catamounts hoping to repeat last year's thrilling 3-2 upset win.
WCU then hits the road for three straight matches, closing the nonconference portion of the schedule at West Georgia and Miami (OH). WCU travels to Carrollton, Ga. for a 1 p.m. kick with the Wolves on Sept. 6 before taking on the Redhawks at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11. The Catamounts then open Southern Conference play on Sept. 17, taking on the UNCG Spartans in Greensboro, N.C. at 7 p.m.
