Spartanburg, S.C. – Caroline Simpkins netted the equalizing goal in the 86th minute as Western Carolina secured an important point in Southern Conference play, earning a 1-1 draw at Wofford on Friday night on Snyder Field.
The goal was the first for Simpkins in a Catamount kit, and the second of her collegiate career.
The draw moves the Catamounts to 3-6-2 this season, and 1-1-1 in SoCon play, tallying four points in the conference standings. The Terriers are 3-5-2 on the season and winless in conference play, recording a 0-2-1 record for one point.
Trailing 1-0 late in the match, Simpkins, who began her collegiate career in Spartanburg at nearby USC Upstate, knotted the game with a shot past the outstretched fingertips of the Terrier goalkeeper. Eliza Rich started the rally with a single touch to pass to Samantha Whitaker, who then fired the ball up field to Simpkins along the sideline.
Simpkins raced down the left wing, crossed over the Terrier defense to the top of the box before firing WCU's final shot of the night that eluded Elizabeth Navola.
Neither team posted a shot in the final four minutes of the match, as the Catamounts picked up a point in conference play with the 1-1 tie. The two teams took 13 shots apiece, with WCU putting seven on frame to Wofford's five. WCU took 11 corner kicks, with Wofford firing eight.
Friday's conference bout opened eventfully, as both teams netted goals that were ultimately wiped away due to offsides in the opening five minutes. The squads combined for only five shots in the first 25 minutes of play, with Malia Roberts recording the only on-target attack of opening action.
The Terriers broke through first, as Julia Grier capitalized on a corner kick in the 30th minute, giving the hosts their first lead over the Catamounts since 2015. Wofford closed the half with two more on-target shots, both of which were denied by goalkeeper Amara Yetka, who collected four total saves on the night.
Mackenzie Megill was credited with WCU's final shot of the first half, sending a shot just high of the net as the Terriers held a 1-0 halftime lead and a 5-4 shot advantage.
WCU opened the second half aggressively, taking the first five shots of the frame and putting three on net. Terrier goalkeeper Navola withstood the initial barrage, picking up saves on WCU's first five on-target shots of the final 45 minutes.
Wofford mustered only one shot on target in the second half, with Yetka falling on top of Maya Lake's shot in the 82nd minute.
Catamount Notables:
- The hard-fought draw preserves a 16-match unbeaten streak against the Terriers, dating back to September 2014. The draw does, however, snap a 13-match winning streak against Wofford, which dated back to October of 2015.
- The Terriers haven't netted more than one goal in a match against the Catamounts since scoring three in a 3-2 win in 2000.
- Carolina Simpkins netted the first goal of her Catamount career in the 86th minute.
- Simpkins' game-tying goal was the first this season that had two credited assists, as Eliza Rich and Samantha Whitaker both recording a point on the play.
- NC State transfer Eliza Rich recorded her first collegiate point, being credited with an assist on Simpkins game-tying goal.
- Samantha Whitaker has recorded an assist in back-to-back matches.
- Amara Yetka, Emma Soucy, Samantha Whitaker, Rylie Niemeyer, and Malia Roberts all went the distance in the match, recording 90-minute efforts.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
WCU returns home on Oct. 1, as the Catamounts host the ETSU Bucs for the annual Blackout match. Kickoff with the Blue Ridge Border rival is set for 7 p.m. at the on-campus Catamount Athletic Complex.
The Catamounts then hit the road to take on the Chattanooga Mocs at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4 before hosting The Citadel Bulldogs on Oct. 11 for senior day. Kickoff with The Citadel is set for 2 p.m.
