The Southern Highland Reader

Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women’s soccer was tabbed second in the Southern Conference preseason coaches’ poll and three Catamounts were honored with All-conference selections as announced by the conference office.

Western Carolina was picked to finish behind 2008 regular season champion UNC Greensboro, who the Catamounts edged on penalty kicks in the conference tournament final. WCU received three of 12 place votes after setting a school record nine conference wins and participated in the NCAA College Cup Championship for the second time in four years. Furman, Samford and Davidson followed WCU to wrap up the top five teams in the poll.

The second place vote in the preseason poll was the third time that Western Carolina has earned that distinction. The two other previous second place votes were earned in 2002 and 2007.

“With all of the talent and quality of opponents in the SoCon, it’s an honor to be ranked so high,” said Catamount coach Tammy DeCesare, who has led WCU to two conference championships in four seasons.

Seniors Jenny Matteson and Shanna Schmoker both garnered preseason distinction, along with 2008 SoCon Tournament MVP junior goalkeeper Caitlin Williams. Matteson, a defender from Cinnaminson, N.J., started in all 23 matches last season and played the most minutes on the team with 2,016. The honor was Matteson’s first preseason selection and her second career honor after being named on the 2008 SoCon All-Tournament team.

“Jenny is a tremendous player in the backfield for us,” said DeCesare. “We expect her to be a leader in our defensive unit this season.”

Schmoker is coming off a career season in 2008, where she scored a season best five goals and finished second on the team with 11 points. This is the third honor midfielder from Lake Jackson, Texas, who secured spots on the regular season All-conference and All-tournament teams in 2008.

“(Schmoker) is a tremendous presence in the midfield for us and is an indispensable factor in our defense,” noted DeCesare. “She is a leader in the way she plays and competes every day in practice and competition.”

Williams returns ranking third on the WCU all-time career list for saves (152) and shutouts (14) after just two seasons. The Liberty, S.C., native recorded a victory against Elon, a shutout victory against Samford and collected four penalty kick saves against top-seeded UNC Greensboro to capture the SoCon tournament title in 2008. She was named the tournament MVP and earned player of the week honors after shutting out nationally-ranked South Carolina in the regular season.

“Williams has improved every season,” said DeCesare. “She has the ability to be the best goal keeper in a very competitive and talented conference.”

Western Carolina opens the season on Friday when they host the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. Kickoff is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start at the Catamount Athletic Complex.

2009 Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. UNC Greensboro (7) 114

2. Western Carolina (3) 107

3. Samford (1) 101

4. Furman 87

5. Davidson 86

6. College of Charleston (1) 77

7. Elon 60

8. Appalachian State 47

9. Wofford 40

10. Georgia Southern 37

11. Chattanooga 23

12. The Citadel 13

Tags: caitlin williams, soccer, Southern Conference, Western Carolina University

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