CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel is set to wrap up its 2020-21 soccer season on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. as the Bulldogs host Western Carolina at WLI Field in their season finale.
Saturday's match, sponsored by Nana Klenhard through the program's Match Ball Sponsors initiative, will also double as Senior Day, with nine members of the team receiving pre-match recognition in a ceremony set to begin at approximately 10:45 a.m. on the field.
Taylor Diggs,
Kaeley Johnston,
Ellie Burgess,
Hannah Roth,
Devyn Nyhart,
Rachel Posner,
Kate Manzione,
Maria Contreras and
Logan Dix will all be honored for their contributions to the team.
The Citadel (7-9-2, 1-6 SoCon) had been set to compete on Thursday afternoon with a bout against ETSU; that match, however, was cancelled due to opt-outs and injuries within the Bucs' team. In the Bulldogs' last time out, the squad held perennial powerhouse Samford at bay for 75 minutes on the road before giving up three late goals. The Citadel will look to end the season on a high note on Saturday with its first win since a 3-0 victory over VMI on March 19.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs will try to break out of an offensive slump as the side has been shut out over its last two matches despite strong defensive play. A win against the Catamounts would give the 2020-21 Bulldogs sole possession of third place in program history with eight victories.
Western Carolina (4-7, 3-5 SoCon) has alternated losses and wins over its last five matches, most recently falling 3-1 at Mercer on Thursday evening. The Catamounts' three conference wins have come against VMI, ETSU and Wofford, and Western Carolina has yet to pick up a SoCon victory away from home this season.
Maggie Lloyd and Regan Ward lead Western Carolina with three goals and eight points apiece, and both Summit Dann and Maryanne Kilgore have fired a pair of goals as well. Rea Syska leads the squad with six assists, and Ward's 24 shots pace the Catamounts on the year.
In goal, Melody Mezzina owns a 1.48 goals against average across 732 minutes of action, making 36 saves while surrendering 12 goals with three solo shutouts.
Saturday's meeting is the 20th in program history between The Citadel and Western Carolina, with the Catamounts holding a 17-1-1 edge. The Bulldogs will be seeking to snap a nine-match losing streak to the Catamounts on Saturday with their first victory in the series since a 2-1 triumph on Sept. 24, 2010.
