CofC Women's Soccer Team to Open SoCon Play at Home This Weekend
9/25/2008 4:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The College of Charleston women's soccer team will start Southern Conference play this weekend when it hosts a pair of matches. The Cougars will host Appalachian State on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., then Western Carolina on Sunday, Sept 27 at 1 p.m.
The Cougars are off to their best start in program history at 7-1-1 and are looking to improve on their conference season last year in which they went 6-2-2 in league play and advanced to the semifinals of the SoCon Tournament.
Charleston is led offensively by senior forward Megan Manthey, who leads her team and the Southern Conference in points (16), goals (6) and game-winning goals (3). She is also tied for the league-lead in assists (4). Goalie Erin Smith has recorded four shutouts (a conference high) and has a goals against average of 0.89.
Appalachian State comes into their match with the Cougars with a 4-2-1. The Mountaineers are currently riding a three-match winning streak.
Western Carolina comes into the weekend with a 3-5-0 overall record and is coming off a 1-0 victory over #21 South Carolina in their last match on Sept. 21. Catamount defender Arlan Whittle was named SoCon Player of the Week this week for her efforts.
Last season, the Cougars went a combined 2-0-1 against both teams. Charleston fought Appalachian State to a 0-0 draw on the road and knocked off Western Carolina twice. In the regular season, the Cougars won 3-1, then in the Southern Conference Tournament, Charleston beat Western Carolina again on penalty kicks (10-9) after the teams battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime.
