SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford women's soccer team forced overtime against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Snyder Field on Sunday afternoon, but the Catamounts secured the golden goal to win 2-1. Western Carolina struck first in the 9^th minute, and Wofford found the equalizer in the 28^th when Caileen Almeida put one away from long distance. Valentine Pursey slotted home the golden goal just over two minutes into the overtime period, however, to secure the Catamounts' seventh-straight victory over the Terriers.
 
Meara Kelly had the game's first shot almost six minutes in, but it was saved. In the 9^th minute, Olivia Hughes was booked for a costly yellow card, setting up a Western Carolina free kick from just outside the box. Naya Marcil put it home into the top right corner past Maria Mon's reach to put the Catamounts ahead early. Western Carolina continued to levy a flurry of shots, none of which connected. In the 28^th minute, Caileen Almeida took a nice touch to beat a Catamount defender and fired a long shot that sliced in just underneath the crossbar to pull the Terriers level. The Catamounts gave another go in the 28^th minute off the kickoff, but Maria Mon made the save. Maggie Lloyd of Western Carolina then received a yellow card in the 34^th minute, but they still gave another shot attempt two minutes later, Maria Mon making the save again. The squads entered halftime tied at one.
 
Western Carolina continued to pepper Wofford's net out of the break, opening the second half with three more unsuccessful shots. The Terriers had a chance in the 63^rd minute when Mia Bookhard received a pass in the box and tried to put it home off her left foot, but Melody Mezzina came up with the save. The Catamounts had a shot in the 81^st minute, but it could not find its way home. Two minutes later, Katie Gilligan put a shot on goal, but Melody Mezzina was there to make the save. The Catamounts had another chance in the 88^th minute, but an offside call slashed it, and the squads remained level.
 
It did not take Western Carolina long to secure the victory in overtime. Though Wofford started with the ball, the Catamounts won possession and went on the attack. After some failed Terrier attempts to win back possession in the box, the ball rebounded to the foot of Valentine Pursey at the top of the box, who slotted it into the bottom left corner for the golden goal.
 
Wofford (3-9-0, 1-2-0) was dominated in the shot column, putting on only four shots, though all on goal, to a whopping 15 for Western Carolina (8-4-1, 3-1-0). The Catamounts tallied seven corner kicks while the Terriers only had one. Maria Mon (2-5-0) had five saves on the day for Wofford. Melody Mezzina (6-2-1) totaled three saves in net for the Catamounts.
 
The Terriers will be back in action Friday, October 8 when they travel to Birmingham, Ala. for a conference clash with the Samford Bulldogs at 7:00 pm.