CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- The Western Carolina women's soccer team used a game-winning goal from junior Bri Cunningham to beat the visiting Elon Phoenix 2-1, in overtime, on Sunday afternoon. The Catamounts improved to 8-6-0 overall and 5-1-0 in the Southern Conference after the league win while Elon dropped to 6-5-2, 2-3-1.

 

The Catamounts only needed three minutes and 48 seconds of overtime play to provide the game-winning goal.  Cunningham took a pass from teammate Nikki Collins and beat Elon's Sydney Little one-on-one at the lower corner of the net for her second goal of the season.

The victory for Western Carolina is it's sixth win in the last seven games and also continues a four game home winning streak, dating back to a 1-0 victory over #20 South Carolina on Sept. 21.

In the first half Western Carolina posted the bulk of opportunities early on, but either missed the frame or were denied by Little.

 

Ten minutes into the game the Catamounts struck when Kayla Beauduy put a cross into the box and where Rachael Shomper was able to head the ball into the back on the net just over the head Little. It was Shomper's first goal of the season.

 

The Phoenix went on the offensive in the second half when, ten minutes into the half, Susannah Gianakos scored off a rebound from teammate Molly Calpin to even the score at 1-1. Gianakos took a shot inside the box and beat the Catamounts goalie in the right corner for her fourth goal of the season.

 

Elon was out-shot 11-5 overall in the game.

 

The Phoenix returns to the pitch to take on Furman in Greenville, S.C. on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.