Oct. 16, 2011
Box Score
CULLOWHEE, N.C. -
The first-place Samford University soccer team tallied its fourth-consecutive victory Sunday as the Bulldogs used a second-half goal from Sarah Wilkinson to defeat the Western Carolina Catamounts 1-0 at the Catamount Athletic Complex.
Wilkinson's game-winning score occurred in the 62nd minute of play and proved to be her team-leading seventh goal of the season. With the decisive goal, Wilkinson's second of the 2011 campaign, Samford (8-5-2, 6-0-2 SoCon) extended its undefeated streak to eight-consecutive matches.
The Bulldogs own sole possession of first place in the Southern Conference standings and have outscored their league opponents by a score of 12-4 this season.
With Sunday's loss, Western Carolina (8-7-1, 3-5 SoCon) dropped its fourth straight match and suffered only its second home defeat of the 2011 campaign. Since tallying back-to-back conference victories against Wofford and Furman, the Catamounts have suffered four-consecutive losses versus Georgia Southern, Davidson, Chattanooga and Samford.
In the all-time series between Samford and Western Carolina, the Bulldogs increased their advantage over the Catamounts to 3-1-1. Samford also extended its winning streak in the series to two straight matches. Last season, the Bulldogs earned a similar 1-0 victory at Bulldog Field in Birmingham, Ala.
Samford goalkeeper Alyssa Whitehead registered her fourth shutout of the year Sunday and increased her school-record total in the category to 30. The Bulldogs' 6-foot-3 native of Hattiesburg, Miss., tallied a pair of key saves in the 1-0 victory against Western Carolina.
Both teams finished Sunday's showdown with nine shots apiece, while the Catamounts committed 10 fouls as compared to six for the Bulldogs. Western Carolina finished the match with five corner kicks, while Samford tallied four.
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 7 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs return home to Birmingham, Ala., for a meeting with the Davidson Wildcats. Prior to the contest, Samford will honor its 2011 senior class with a special Senior Night presentation.
