Soccer: Double overtime win over Wofford

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Cullowhee, NC - Freshman Tara Budnick scored the goal that lifted the women's soccer team to 2-1 double overtime win over Wofford, Friday night.   The Catamounts are now 7-3-1 and 2-1 in the Southern Conference.

The Soccer Cats set the tone with this win for the remainder of weekend sport events in Cullowhee, here's to all win this weekend.

From Catamount Athletic Director Chip Smith

Our Team, Our House!

Three of the next four games for Catamount Football will be played at home...

We will face quality conference opponents on Bob Waters Field...

Home field is an advantage, but we, THE FANS, have to make it so!

WCU student-athletes put on the Purple & Gold every weekend to represent our University on the playing fields with nowhere to hide and where performance - not excuses - is the standard. This itself is a challenge many would not, and do not, accept.

Catamount student-athletes work very hard at their sport, in the classroom, on campus and in the community to bring recognition to WCU. They deserve our support if, for nothing else, out of respect for the work and commitment they make towards winning championships, which make all of us proud.

In respect for the effort and commitment the seniors and the young men who have dedicated themselves to WCU, I challenge every fan, every student, every one of us to remain in the stands through the fourth quarter of every game in Cullowhee.

Be that home field advantage!

Show your support by your presence and your noise!

Our team, Our house!

Go Catamounts!

The finished look

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

This Weekend's Events

Friday, September 30, 2011

Soccer vs Wofford 7:00 PM

Cross Country at 38th-annual Paul Short Run 10:00 AM

Volleyball at Elon 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Football vs Furman 6:00 PM

Volleyball at UNC Greensboro 5:00 PM

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Soccer vs Furman 2:00 PM

Women's Golf vs Starmount Fall Classic (18 holes) All Day

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Warren named to initial Jerry Rice Award "watch list"

"This year, a national freshman of the year award will recognize the achievements of first-year players. The Sports Network is presenting and Fathead.com sponsoring the inaugural Jerry Rice Award."


The first Watch List features:
* Two quarterbacks: Jerry Lovelocke of Prairie View A&M and Greg McGhee of Howard;
* Five running backs: Andre Clarke of North Carolina Central, David Johnson of Northern Iowa, Ross Scheuerman of Lafayette, Jordan Talley of Eastern Washington and Shaun Warren of Western Carolina;
* Two wide receivers: R.J. Harris of New Hampshire and Brandon White of San Diego;
* Three linebackers: Michael Dallas II of the Morgan State, D'Vonte Grant of North Carolina A&T and Dillon Lucas of Villanova;
* Two cornerbacks: Eriq Lewis of Old Dominion and Zachary Senvisky of Morehead State;
* One punter: Garrett Mohr of Jacksonville.

Jerry Rice Award

The Dennis Wagner Show (GSU)

Head Football Coach Dennis Wagner recaps the Georgia Southern game, names the players of the week, and discusses the upcoming home game with Furman.

Click on the link below to watch the Show on WNC Television.


The Dennis Wagner Show

Baseball - Alumni weekend planned

Cullowhee, NC - Head Coach Bobby Moranda has announced that the Catamount baseball plans an alumni weekend on Saturday, Nov. 5, which coincides with the induction of former baseball standout, Chris Moore, into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame.

Please RSVP with WCU Assistant Baseball Coach Alan Beck at (828) 227-2510 or by E-mail at abeck@email.wcu.edu if you would like to attend.

After the induction presentation, all baseball alumni are invited to attend a special BBQ at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium prior to the WCU/Wofford Football game.


Alumni Reunion

SoCon Football - Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011

Courtesy SoConSports.com

Catamount Tour Championship rescheduled

Hendersonville, N.C. - The Catamount Tour Championship has been rescheduled from Monday, October 10 to Tuesday, October 11 at Kenmure Country Club in Hendersonville, N.C.  The Tour Championship culminates the 2011 Catamount Golf Tour as it concludes its fourth year in support of WCU Athletic Scholarships.

The format for this event will be individual stroke play with Gross and Net prizes awarded in addition to the recognition of the Catamount Golf Tour Overall champion. The Tour Champion is the individual who has comprised the most cumulative points from participation and placed finishes at other events on the 2011 Tour.

Please contact The Catamount Club office at (828) 227-3794 or bradley@wcu.edu for more information on participating in this event at a fantastic golf course!

Football: SoCon's Weekly Teleconference

The SoCon's Weekly Teleconference was held today (9-27-11). Click on the links below to hear both Coach Wagner's and Furman Head Coach Fowler's comments about Saturday's "Clash of Purple".




Coach Wagner

Coach Fowler

Tailgating - Oct. 1, 2011

Cullowhee, NC - The Catamount Fans Tailgating Club invites you to join other Catamount fans in the celebration of Catamount football before every home football game. The goal is to create a large tailgating community and to just have fun prior to Western Carolina home football games!!!   Catamount Tailgaters plan on creating fun game day activities such as Cornhole tournaments and cook offs. Your ideas for activities are needed as well.

Through growth and development the club looks forward to bigger and better tailgating seasons starting this year. To accomplish this goal, your help is needed.  So, you are invited to the first home game opener tailgating to meet and greet other Catamount fans.  Catamount Tailgating Fans will set up in the Fine And Performing Arts Center parking lot no later than three o'clock on Saturday, September 10th for the Mars Hill game.   Get more information about Catamount Tailgating at the link below.

Catamount Fans Tailgating Club

Football: Furman University

Next up is Furman.  Here's the preseason preview published back in the summer.

Game #4  The Paladins of Furman University 

A preseason preview of the  Catamount's fourth opponent of the 2011 football season, the Furman Paladins. 

The Catamounts second SoCon game (and first home conference game) will be played on October 1st 2011, when the Furman Paladins travel up the mountains to E.J. Whitmire Stadium to play the Catamounts on the gridiron for 39th time. The Paladins currently own a four game win streak and are 26-10-2 overall against the Cats. The Cats lost 10-27 last season in Greenville, SC.

Bruce Fowler, a 1981 Furman alum, is in his first season as Furman’s Head Football Coach.   Fowler served as an assistant coach on the Paladin staff for 16 years prior to spending the last nine seasons as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Vanderbilt University. Fowler's last two seasons at Vanderbilt resulted in identical 2-10 records for the Commodores.  This is Fowler’s first head coaching position.

Fowler returns 45 lettermen and 16 starters from last season’s 5-6 team. Seven starters return on offense:  Colin Anderson (TE), Sederrik Cunningham (WR), Dakota Dozier (LT), David Hendrix (WR), Ryan Lee (OT), Daniel Spisak (C), Tersoo Uhaa (RB), and seven returns on defense: Kadarron Anderson  (LB), Colton Keig (DT), Josh Lynn  (DE), Ryan Steed (CB), Nathan Wade (FS), Chris Wiley (LB), Greg Worthy (LB).  Quarterback Cody Worley will not return due to graduation.  Worley will be probably be replaced by highly touted senior Chris Forcier , a UCLA transfer.  Forcier will be in a tough competition with junior Dakota Derrick to maintain the starting QB position. 

Earlier this year, defensive end Aaron Riley , cornerback Jordan Griffin , and linebacker Tim Lawrence were dismissed from the team, while linebacker Sterling Johnsonand, safety Nathan Wade were suspended indefinitely.

Update:  Furman comes to Cullowhee with a 2-1 record, with wins over the Citadel (16-6) and PC (62-21) and a season opening loss to Coastal Carolina ( 23-30).  In Saturday's win over PC, quarterback Chris Forcier passed for 226 yards and a Southern Conference record seven touchdowns.

Game Prediction: WCU: 24   Furman: 14
WCU Record: 2 - 2

Soccer: Cats pick up win over the Citadel

Charleston, S.C. - Samantha Hodge scored two goals against The Citadel Friday afternoon at WLI Field to open Southern Conference play for the Cats.

"I am very proud of our effort today," said Head Women's Soccer Coach Chad Miller. "It wasn't our best 90 minutes, but we found a way to get the results."

The Cats returns to play on Sunday at College of Charleston, and iick-off is set for 2 p.m.

Volleyball: Cats top Chattanooga

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Cats came back after dropping the first set to win three straight, topping the Lady Mocs 3-1,  getting their first conference win of the season.  The win was their second straight at home - which equals the win total for all of the 2010 season. 

Senior Rebecca Stoltz recorded seven total blocks against the Lady Mocs.

Saturday's Football Wrap up

#1 Georgia Southern 52, Western Carolina 20
Statesboro, Ga. - Georgia Southern (3-0) improved to 2-0 in the Southern Conference with a 52-20 win over Western Carolina (1-2, 0-1). The Eagles ran for 634 yards and had four players with over 90 yards on the ground.


#3 Appalachian State 14, #14 Chattanooga 12
Boone, N.C. - The Mocs lost 14-12 at No. 3 Appalachian State at Kidd Brewer Stadium Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the Mocs to 2-2 and 0-1 in the Southern Conference. ASU improves to 3-1 and 1-0 in SoCon action.

#8 Wofford 38, Samford 23
Spartanburg, S.C. - Wofford College defeated Samford 38-23 at Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers had three players rush for over 100 yards as the team had 443 yards on the ground.

Elon 18, The Citadel 15 (OT)
Elon, N.C. - Elon's Adam Shreiner kicked a 33-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Phoenix to an 18-15 win over visiting The Citadel on Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium.

Furman 62, Presbyterian 21
Greenville, S.C. - Furman romped to a 62-21 victory over visiting Presbyterian Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium.

Football: Cats travel to Georgia Southern

What:  Western at Georgia Southern
Where:  Statesboro, Georgia
When:  Saturday, September 23, 2011, 6 PM


 Read more game day information here.


Go Cats. 

WCU Football Alumni Reunion

Join former coaches, players, managers, trainers and die-hard Catamount fans in the inaugural football reunion.

Friday, Nov. 18
"Lying time" at the Best Western Reception Area - 7 .p.m. until.... (beverages and hors d'oeveres will be provided)

Saturday, Nov. 19
8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. - Continental breakfast in the Blue Ridge Room (on the WCU campus)

10-11 a.m. - Campus tour including athletic facilties

11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. - Cookout and tailgate (place TBA)

2 p.m. - Kick-off vs. Coastal Carolina

COST: $20 per person and will include game ticket in reserve section with other reunion attendees, reception on Friday night, breakfast on Saturday morning and the tail-gate.

NOTE: We have a block of rooms being reserved for the football reunion at the Best Western River Escape Hotel located in Dillsboro, N.C.

For more information, please contact the Catatamount Club office at 828-227-3047.

Painting the endzones today

This Weekend's Events

Friday, September 23, 2011

Soccer at The Citadel 4:00 PM

Men's Golf vs Mason Rudolph Championship (18 holes)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Football at Georgia Southern 6:00 PM

Softball vs Spartanburg Methodist College 10:00 AM

Softball vs Florence Darlington Tech 12:00 PM

Volleyball vs Chattanooga 3:00 PM

Men's Golf vs Mason Rudolph Championship (18 holes)

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Softball vs Spartanburg Methodist College 10:00 AM

Softball vs USC Sumter 2:00 PM

Soccer at College of Charleston 1:00 PM

Volleyball vs Samford 3:00 PM

Men's Golf vs Mason Rudolph Championship (18 holes)

The Dennis Wagner Show

The Dennis Wagner Show (bye week).

Coach Wagner previews the Georgia Southern game.

See the show here.

Volleyball in Cullowhee this weekend



Courtesy WCU Sports

Volleyball: at Gardner-Webb

Boiling Springs, N.C -  The Catamounts play the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb for the second time in eight days as WCU travels to Boiling Springs, looking for its second win over GWU of the season.  Western Carolina (5-9) has won three out of their last four matches and are 4-0 versus the Big South teams thus far this season, including the win over GWU last Friday night at the Spartan Classic.

GWU is hosting a "Black Out" for the match. Live stats for the match can be accessed by going to www.gwusports.com.  The match is also slated to be video streamed live over the Big South Network and can be viewed by going to www.bigsouthsports.com.

WCU Second at Great Smokies Intercollegiate

Waynesville, N.C. - Eastern Kentucky's tournament-record tying final round matched the tournament's 36-hole scoring benchmark, moving them ahead of first-round leading Western Carolina to claim the 13th Annual Great Smokies Intercollegiate by four strokes at the par-72, 5,932-yard Waynesville Inn, Golf Resort and Spa.

EKU (576) and WCU (580) were followed by Greensboro and Gardner-Webb (tied for third at 583) and Rollins College rounding out the top five at 586.  The Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb were 19 shots better on Tuesday, thanks to a tournament-best 34 birdies.

Appalachian State University women's golf placed 16th at the event, also competing from the Southern Conference, UNCG tied for third at 583 (+7) and The Citadel placed last in the 23-team field at 630 (+54).

Great Smokies Intercollegiate

Sofie Kvarnstrom wins individual medalist honors

Courtesy WCU
sports

Waynesville, N.C - Western Carolina freshman Sofie Kvarnstrom matched the Great Smokies Intercollegiate individual record on Tuesday en route to winning the individual medalist honors by three-strokes over the first round leader, Univ. of Louisiana-Monroe freshman Jennifer Park. Kvarnstrom's two-day total of 135 is the second-best in tournament history, just one stroke in arrears of Hovda's stellar 134 turned in back in 2005.

SoCon Coaches Teleconference (9-20-11)

Head football coach Dennis Wagner participated in the SoCon Head Football Coaches Teleconference this morning. He discussed the bye-week and Georgia Southern, which is ranked No. 1 in FCS Polls.

"We tried to use the off week to start to prepare for some of Georgia Southern's option stuff with our defense," Wagner said. "Offensively we worked a lot on our timing and rhythm, and we also sent some of our coaches out recruiting."

Coach Wagner's comments.

Coach Monken's comments

Volleyball: Carrie Minogue receives honors

Spartanburg, SC - Senior Carrie Minogue was named to the Spartan Classic All-Tournament team on Saturday.  This selection makes the third all-tournament team she has made this season.

Soccer: Emily Lynn & Christina White receive honors

Emily Lynn

Christina White

Wilmington, NC - Emily Lynn and Christina White were named to the Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Invitational All-Tournament Team. 

The tournament was hosted by UNC Wilmington.

Volleyball: Piechota, Timmermann Receive SoCon Honors

Jordan Timmermann

Caitlin Piechota

Spartanburg, SC - Caitlin Piechota has been named the Southern Conference's Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week, and teammate Jordan Timmermann has been named the Freshman of the Week.

Both were selected for the week of September 19, as announced by the Southern Conference.

Soccer - Cats down UNCW, 1-0

Wilmington, N.C. - "This game was a real gut check for the team," said Head Coach Chad Miller. "We really turned it around after our play on Friday."

Junior goal keeper Katie Jacobs recorded seven saves and senior forward Emily Lynn scored the only goal of the game to give the Catamounts a win in the 2011 UNCW Hilton Garden Inn held at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.  The Cats are now 5-2-1 in the season.

The Catamounts will opens their conference schedule at The Citadel, on Friday, September 23, with kick-off scheduled for 4 p.m.

Volleyball: Spartan Classic

The Catamount finish the week at 3-1, as the Catamounts defeated Charleston Southern on Saturday, but dropped its first match of the day to USC Upstate on the final day of the Spartan Classic. The Catamounts won three matches this week, moving up to five wins for the season.

The Catamounts will play Gardner-Webb for the second time in eight days as WCU will travel to Boiling Springs, and looking for a second win over the Bulldogs.

Volleyball: Downs Gardner-Webb 3-2

Spartanburg, S.C. - Catamount volleyball got their second straight win by downing Gardner-Webb, 3-2 in their first match of the Spartan Classic, on the campus of USC Upstate.

On Saturday the Catamounts play two matches, beginning with a 12:30 game against USC Upstate. The second will be against Charleston Southern University at 5:30 p.m. Gametracker will be available for both matches

Soccer Falls to Richmond

Wilmington, NC - The Catamount women's soccer team fell to Richmond on Friday in the Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Invitational by a score of 4-1.

"Our youth really showed through tonight in the match," said Head Coach Chad Miller. "And like any good team, Richmond took advantage of it."

Western Carolina completes competition at the Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Invitational on Sunday by facing host UNC Wilmington 1:30 p.m.

Golf to Host 13th Annual Great Smokies Intercollegiate

Waynesville, NC - Western Carolina University and the Catamount women's golf team play host to the 13th-annual Great Smokies Intercollegiate Sept. 18-20, 2011.  In this years event a total of 23 teams will compete for both team and individual titles.

"We are again looking forward to opening our fall season with the Great Smokies Intercollegiate at a wonderful host venue at the Waynesville Inn," said WCU second-year head coach, Mallory Hetzel. "This tournament earned and has maintained both a high level of competition, as well as a sense of hospitality that keeps teams coming back year after year. For Western Carolina, this event has traditionally been very successful and we look to continue that this weekend."


Great Smokies Intercollegiate

Football: Up next - Georgia Southern

With the Georgia Southern game just one week from tomorrow (Sept. 24), it's time to have another look at our preseason preview of the #1 ranked Eagles.

Game #3. The Eagles of Georgia Southern University

A preseason preview of the Catamount's third opponent of the 2011 football season, preseason #1 ranked Georgia Southern Eagles.

Western's first conference game is on the road as the Catamounts travel to Statesboro, Ga. to Paulson Stadium to meet Georgia Southern for the 22d time.   The Cats will face the triple option offense for the second time in first three games in this young football season. GSU currently owns a 19-2 overall record against the Catamounts, and the Catamounts have never won in Statesboro.

Jeff Monken enters his second season as head coach of the Eagles, coming off an initial 10-5 season, and going 3 games deep into the NCAA Div. I football playoff series in 2010. In Monken's initial season as a head coach, he defeated 5 ranked teams, and lead the Eagles into the FCS playoffs for their first appearance since 2002.

The Eagle have a total of 48 letterwinners returning (19 on offense, 25 on defense, & 4 on special teams) which includes a total of 23 starters returning from the 2010 team (all 11 on offense, 9 on defense, & 3 on special teams). Jaybo Shaw will again be leading the Eagles at quarterback. Shaw throw for over 1200 yards last season, including 5 touchdowns, rushing for 514 yards and 16 touchdowns. Running back Robert Brown rushed for 1,004 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Returning senior and cornerback Laron Scott set twp school records in 2010, the single season record for interceptions, & for kick off returns (yardage).

WCU connections: Two former WCU players are assistant coaches on the Eagle staff. John Scott (2000) - Defensive line/Special Teams Coordinator (2d season) and Lamont Seward (2003) - Wide Receivers (2d season)

Game Prediction: Georgia Southern has a very experienced team returning, losing only two of their 2010 starting 22.   The Eagles won 28-6 in Cullowhee last season, and will be coming off a home game with Tusculum.  

Update:  GSU won at Samford, 31-17, and pulled away from Tusculum in the second half 62-21 in Paulson Stadium

Prediction:  WCU: 17   GSU: 21

WCU Record:  1 - 2

Cross Country: Mountaineer Open

Boone, N.C. – Western Carolina women’s cross country team will travel to Appalachian State to participate in the Mountaineer Open at State Farm Fields in Boone, N.C. on Friday at 5 p.m.

The Catamounts will join Ohio State, UNC Asheville, ETSU, and Queens (N.C.) and host ASU in the 5K Mountaineer Open.

Soccer Plays In UNC-W Invitational This Weekend

Wilmington, NC - The Catamounts travel to Wilmington, North Carolina for weekend matches against Richmond and Wilmington in the Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Invitational.

The Cats will play Richmond on Friday afternoon. The Spiders (3-3-2) come into the tournament ranked seventh in the latest NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional rankings poll. On Sunday, the Cats take on the home standing Seahawks (2-4)

Football: The Dennis Wagner Show (Mars Hill)

Daniel Hooker talks with fourth year Head Football Coach Dennis Wagner as they recap the Mars Hill game, discuss the "players of the week", and look ahead to the Georgia Southern game on September 24th.   

Click on the link below to view the show.


The Dennis Wagner Show

This weekend's events

Friday, September 16th 2011

Soccer vs Richmond 5:00 PM

Volleyball vs Gardner-Webb 4:30 PM

Cross Country at Mountaineer Open 5:00 PM

Cross Country at Clemson Invitational 6:15 PM

Saturday, September 17th 2011

Softball vs Young Harris (12 inning game)12:00 PM

Volleyball at USC Upstate 12:30 PM

Volleyball vs Charleston Southern 5:30 PM

Sunday, September 18th 2100

Soccer at UNC-Wilmington 1:30 PM

Volleyball Wins Home-Opener

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Cats defeated UNC-Asheville, 3-1, Wednesday night to win their first home match of the season.

"Paige [McConlogue] really stepped it up tonight, filling the libero role," said head volleyball coach Karen Glover. "It was really a team effort offensively and defensively. Caitlin Piechota really stood out and got us kills when we needed them."

 The Cats play their final non-conference tournament in the Spartan Classic, hosted by USC Upstate. Western Carolina opens the tournament facing Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

Football: Weekly Coaches Teleconference - Week 3

Courtesy SoConSports.com

"I thought our guys played hard," said Wagner. "We made some adjustments late in the first quarter, early in the second quarter on defense to kind of sure some things up. We got things straightened out, slowed them down and the defense got a turnover. Other than the first drive of the first quarter, I felt we moved the ball pretty well on offense. Our freshman (running back), Shaun Warren, had an excellent game and his back-up, Michael Vaughn, did a great job also. I thought we did some good things mixing the ball up, run and throw."  He added, "You come out of the game healthy and have the opportunity to get guys some playing time that is what you are looking for."

For the entire interview, click on the link below.

Coach Wagner's Comments

FCS National Freshman of the Week

The Sports Network/Fathead.com has named Shaun Warren the FCS National Freshman of the Week. Along with this national honor, the Southern Conference also named Warren the Southern Conference Freshman of the Week.

A native of China Grove, N.C., Warren is the fifth first-year player to record a 200-yard rushing effort for the Catamounts.  Warren was also considered for the SoCon's top offensive player of the week honors, and became the eighth different Catamount to record 200-or-more yards rushing in a single-game, and the 11th different occurrence in school-history that a WCU running back had 200-or-more yards on the ground.

Steak ‘n Shake Offensive Player of the Week

Week two Steak 'n Shake Southern Conference players of the week.

SoCon Offensive Player of the Week:  Shaun Warren, RB, Western Carolina - Rushed for 203 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Mars Hill.


SouthernPigSkin.com

Soccer: Second Straight Shutout

Cullowhee, N.C. - Catamount soccer (4-1-1) played its second consecutive shutout, and recorded a 4-0 win over visiting Winthrop (2-4) Sunday at the Catamount Athletic Complex.

The Catamounts have now won four out of its last five matches, and remains unbeaten at home in this season. The Cats took a season-high 16 shots in the match and only allowed Winthrop four shots, three of those in the second half.  The shutout was the second of the year by Catamount goalie Katie Jacobs.

Next up for the Cats is a trip to Wilmington, NC on September 16 to participate in the UNC Wilmington Tournament. WCU will face Richmond at 5 p.m. Friday and then host UNC-W Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Remembering 9-11

Courtesy CBS News

Courtesy David Kiyokawa