Western Carolina's Maryanne Kilgore
Western Carolina Athletics
Western Carolina's Maryanne Kilgore

Women's Soccer

Kilgore scores golden goal in Catamounts' OT win

Senior nets lone goal of contest in 94th minute

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Senior Maryanne Kilgore scored a golden goal in Western Carolina soccer’s 1-0 overtime win against visiting Charlotte Wednesday at the Catamount Athletic Complex.  
 
Turning Point:
After a hard-fought defensive battle, by both teams, in the first 90-minutes regulation was not enough to settle the game. It took until the 93rd minute to crown a winner thanks to Kilgore’s golden goal off a pass from Maggie Lloyd. 
 
 Individual Leaders
  • Kilgore scored the first official goal of the season for the Catamounts. 
  • Kilgore had a total of three shots in the game – two shots on goal. 
  • Sophomore goalkeeper Melody Mezzina went the full 93:35 minutes in goal earning the win and the shutout after picking up five saves in the match. She is 1-0 on the season. 
 
Inside the Box Score
  • Both teams had a strong defensive showing in the match with shots coming at a premium. Each team had eight shots in the match.
  • Mezzina and the Catamount defense turned away some solid looks by the 49ers at the goal including a block by the WCU defense in front of the goal and Mezznina’s aggressive play in-goal. 
  • The Catamount's best scoring chance in the second half came on a free-kick after a foul on Charlotte. Reily Nelson took the free-kick about 15 yards out just left of the goal. Her shot dribbled just to the left of the goal post. 
  • Western Carolina came out aggressively in overtime. The aggressiveness paid off with the golden goal. Amber Van Den Berg threw the ball into play in front of the Catamount bench to Lloyd who passed the ball from the left side of the goal to the right side where Kilgore waited just to the right side of the post. Kilgore kicked the ball in with her right foot as the 49er goalie was pulled to the left side of the goal.  
Inside the Box Score
  • Western Carolina earned its first-ever win over Charlotte as the 49ers had won the previous six meetings. It was the first time Charlotte has been shut out by the Catamounts. 
  • Kilgore scored the first golden-goal of her career. 
  • The shutout by Mezzina was her first of the season and the sixth of her career.
  • Western Carolina is now 12-10 in season-opening games all-time. 
  • The 1-0 shutout over Charlotte is the fifth time in program history the Catamounts have shutout an opponent in its season opener. 
 
 Up Next
Western Carolina welcomes Davidson at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Catamount Athletic Complex. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).