Carollton,Ga. -- Junior
Erika Gariepy recorded her first career goal, scoring on an Olimpico in the 70th minute to lead Western Carolina women's soccer to the 1-0 victory over West Georgia on Sunday afternoon at the University Soccer Field.
Sophomore
Amara Yetka earned her first career shutout win, going the distance and securing the victory with a critical last-second play to preserve the shutout.
Neither team produced many opportunities offensively in the first half, with West Georgia's Noemi Casque firing the first credited shot and shot on goal of the half, with Yetka collecting her first of three saves of the afternoon.
Gabriela Vatrano recorded WCU's first scoring opportunities in the 25th and 28th minutes, posting a pair of on-target shots which UWG's Siani Jones denied.
Yetka collected one more save, as
Mackenzie Howard fired a shot that didn't quite find its mark as the two teams went into halftime tied at 0.
WCU's defense was stout in the second half, conceding only two more shots and only allowing one on-target in the final 45 minutes. The Catamounts were the aggressors to close the day, with Gariepy eventually breaking the tie in the 70th minute.
The Catamounts were awarded a corner kick following an
Emma Soucy shot in UWG territory. Gariepy took her position in the corner, curling a shot between West Georgia defenders and just into the net.
WCU continued to apply pressure on the West Georgia backline in the final 20 minutes of the match, posting five more shots, including one from
Katarina Schmidler which hit the woodwork and a shot from junior
Gabriela Vatrano which went just wide of an empty net. West Georgia took one final shot as the clock ran out, lobbing a ball high into the box which
Amara Yetka punched high and off the crossbar to secure the win.
Western Carolina is now 2-4-1 on the season, putting the brakes on a three-match losing streak with Miami (OH) next on the schedule. West Georgia is now 0-4-1 on the season and will take on Georgia State in their next match.
Catamount Notables:
- WCU's 1-0 win over West Georgia is the first decision in series history, as the two teams met for the first time.
- The Catamounts were the third Southern Conference team to record a win over West Georgia this season, joining ETSU and Mercer. All three teams won their match 1-0.
- Amara Yetka earned her first career shutout win and the second win of her career. She went the distance against the Wolves and has now played the last 225 minutes of the season, recording full 90-minute efforts against West Georgia and NC State.
- Erika Gariepy recorded her first career goal, netting the game-winner on an Olimpico in the 70th minute. She is the third Catamount to record an Olimpico in the last three seasons, joining Isabella DeMarco and Samantha Vibberts in the feat.
- Samantha Whitaker, Alexandra Grammenopoulos, Alexe Drolet, and Amara Yetka all went the distance in the match, recording 90-minute efforts.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
WCU is back in road action on Sept. 11 as the Catamounts take on Miami (OH) in Oxford, Ohio for a 7 p.m. kick. They'll then open Southern Conference play on the road, taking on UNCG on Sept. 17 before returning home to host the Samford Bulldogs on Sept. 20 for a 1 p.m. kick.
