By Denise Gideon
WCU Athletics
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Freshman Abbie Lainhart found the back of the net in the 57th minute to help propel Western Carolina women’s soccer to a 1-0 shutout at UT Martin Sunday at the Skyhawk Soccer Field.
The road victory is the third straight for the Catamounts.
Individual Leaders:
- Lainhart scored her first goal as a Catamount. She ended the match with three shots.
- UT Martin had three players who had two shots in the contest.
- Junior goalkeeper Melody Mezzina earned her third win of the season improving to 3-1-1 on the year. She had four saves in the match.
Inside the Box Score
- Western Carolina broke open a scoreless match at the 57th minute. Maggie Lloyd's shot attempt was blocked and it bounced back to freshman Abbie Lainhart who took an advantage of an open net and sailed it into the bottom center of the net for the score.
- UT Martin had a chance to tie the match in the waning seconds of the match when a handball was called. With 38 seconds left Skyhawk Catey Hunt sent a shot high as it nipped the top of the crossbar.
- After taking only two shots in the first half, Western Carolina came out aggressively on offense in the second half with eight shots ending the match with 10.
- WCU proved its offensive mindset early in the second half with two beautiful chances to score at the 53rd minute Off a corner kick one hit the post and the other was blocked just in front of the box.
News & Notes:
- WCU held a UT Martin club that had posted 12 goals over their first six matches of the season. Before running into the Catamounts’ stout defensive, the Skyhawks had scored eight goals over their last three matches. UT Martin was shut out for the fourth time this season.
- Since returning to the starting lineup, Mezzina is 3-0 in road matches earning three straight shutouts in the wins. She has not allowed a goal in 270 minutes away from Cullowhee.
- Mezzina has only allowed one goal in 470 minutes with a record of 3-1-1. She had a 0.19 goals-against average and a total of 19 saves.
- With Lainhart’s score against UT Martin, Western Carolina has had six different players score this season.
- Western Carolina is now 4-1 against UT Martin all-time.
- The Catamounts 3-1 record on the road, to start the season, is the best start for WCU since opening the 2005 season 3-1 away from Cullowhee.
UPCOMING:
- Western Carolina returns home Sunday, Sept. 19, hosting Ohio in its final non-conference match of the season. It will be senior day as the Catamounts seniors, redshirt seniors, and graduate transfer seniors will be recognized before the match.