Western Carolina Claims Tournament Crown

(2) Western Carolina 0 (1) UNC Greensboro 0

Western Carolina Wins, 2-0 on Penalty Kicks

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. ? After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, Western Carolina’s Caitlin Williams stopped four shots in the penalty kick phase of the game to give the Lady Catamounts the 2008 Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Championship. Western Carolina’s Nikki Lombardo and Arlan Whittle converted their penalty kick attempts to give WCU a 2-0 edge in the tiebreaker.

Williams, who was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, made four saves on penalty kicks, stopping UNC Greensboro’s Lauren Lopez, Katelynn Donovan, Jenn Partenheimer and Kristin Player.

UNC Greensboro (16-4-3) carried the play through most of the first half, as the Spartans held a 5-1 advantage in shots, including four that were on target. Despite UNCG’s consistent offensive attack in the opening stanza, it was the Catamounts who had the first quality scoring chance as Western Carolina (13-7-2) earned a free kick in the 19^th minute when UNC Greensboro’s Jaimey Etten was issued a yellow card. Kayla Beauduy’s ensuing free kick from 26 yards out just slid outside the left post.

Both teams battled back and forth during the second half but neither team was able to break through. Western Carolina came out of halftime the aggressor for the first 20 minutes of the second period. After weathering the Catamounts’ attack, UNC Greensboro carried the play for the final 25 minutes of the game, but was unable to tally a marker in the second half.

The Spartans held an 8-4 advantage in shots at the end of regulation.

By virtue of their triumph Sunday afternoon, the Lady Catamounts will advance to the 2008 NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. Pairings and game times will be announced by the NCAA Monday (Nov. 10) night.

All-Tournament Team

Margaret Antonik, Furman

Katya Gokham, Furman

Paige Lanter, Samford

Amber Cress, Samford

Kelsey Kearney, UNC Greensboro

Mary Kate Towne, UNC Greensboro

Lauren Lopez, UNC Greensboro

Arlan Whittle, Western Carolina

Jenny Matteson, Western Carolina

Shanna Schmoker, Western Carolina

Caitlin Williams, Western Carolina

Tournament MVP

Caitlin Williams, Western Carolina

Notes:

- Sunday was the the second SoCon Tournament Championship for Western Carolina after having won in 2005

- UNC Greensboro won the regular-season matchup between the two schools, 2-0, on October 10 in Greensboro

- In their only previous meeting during the SoCon Tournament, UNC Greensboro defeated Western Carolina, 2-1 (2 OT), in the 2001 championship game.

- The Spartans did not allow a goal during the 2008 Women’s Soccer SoCon Tournament, the first time a team has recorded three shutouts since the Spartans did it in 1998.

- Western Carolina won the tournament championship by scoring a total of two goals over the three games, the lowest goal total over three games by a tournament champion. The previous low was five goals over three games by four different teams.

- The 2008 SoCon Tournament had four games that were decided by penalty kicks. No other SoCon tournament has had more than one game go to penalty kicks.

- UNC Greensboro is now 22-5-3 in the Southern Conference tournament, while Western Carolina moves to 8-7-3 in the league tournament.