A goal by Anna Marie Mellis in the 66th minute gave the Western Carolina Catamounts a 1-0 win over the VMI Keydets in SoCon women’s soccer action Friday night in Cullowhee, N.C.
After a tightly played first 65:52, Marie Mellis was able to beat VMI (5-8, 2-2) goalkeeper Ceci Keppeler on the left side of the goal to account for the lone score of the contest. Sayres McKenna picked up an assist on the play for WCU (6-7, 3-1).
“Today was perhaps our best effort of the season,” said VMI head coach Chris Bergmann. “We really came out strong in the second half and played well enough to win. We just could not take advantage of our chances, and to Western Carolina’s credit, they were able to score on a counterattack.”
VMI had a chance in the 17th minute, when an Olivia Cotton shot was turned aside. Moments later, Julianne Knoblett put in another attempt, but bounced the try off the post and the match stayed scoreless.
WCU had a shot go off the crossbar in the 30th minute, as the tightly played contest went to halftime scoreless. After falling behind in the 66th minute, the Keydets mustered four shots on goal over the final 24 minutes of play, but were unable to find the equalizer as WCU held on.
For the match, VMI was credited with 10 shots to WCU’s eight. The Keydets held a 7-6 edge in corner kicks and forced six saves by Catamount keeper Carly Tinstman, all while holding the home team to just two shots on goal.
Keppeler was credited with one save in the match.
VMI women’s soccer continues its four-match road swing Sunday at ETSU, with an opening kickoff set for 2 p.m. in Johnson City, Tenn