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Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women’s soccer closes out its 2026 nonconference schedule on the road this week as the Catamounts face the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks on Friday evening. Kickoff with the Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent is set for 7 p.m. at Bobby Kramig Field in Oxford, Ohio.

Friday’s matchup will be livestreamed through Miamiredhawks.com and will be available for free through RedHawks All-Access, with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com.

WCU then remains on the road for their next match, opening Southern Conference play with the UNCG Spartans on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

Friday’s Matchup:

Western Carolina (2-4-1, 0-0-0 SoCon) vs Miami (OH) (3-4-0, 0-0-0 MAC)

Sept. 11, 2026 | Oxford, Ohio | 7 p.m. | Bobby Kramig Field

Watch: https://tinyurl.com/8bmw6pjj

Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/34edzymj

Quick Cuts:

For the second consecutive match, Western Carolina faces a new opponent with Friday’s meeting against the RedHawks marking the first in program history. WCU is 1-1 all-time against the MAC, splitting two matchups against Ohio, winning 3-0 at home in 2021 before suffering a 3-0 loss on the road in 2022.

The Catamounts enter Friday’s matchup coming off a 1-0 road win over the West Georgia Wolves. WCU weathered the heat in Carrollton, netting the game-winning goal in the 70th minute. West Georgia was limited to only four total shots in the match, with three landing on frame.

Miami rides into the Friday night bout after taking the LSU Tigers to the wire, falling 3-2 at home. The RedHawks posted a pair of second-half goals to tighten the match, but the rally fell just short. After being held to just one shot in the first half against the SEC foe, Miami posted seven second-half shots, outproducing the Tigers in the final 45 minutes of play.

The two teams have not shared an opponent this season, though the RedHawks are undefeated against Southern Conference opposition all-time. Miami has faced Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech, going 2-0-1 against the Volunteer State representatives.

Players to Watch:

Erika Gariepy netted her first career goal in the 70th minute against West Georgia, sending home an olimpico goal from the corner to give the Catamounts their second win of the season. Gabriela Vatrano and Caroline Simpkins were the only two Catamounts to register more than one shot in the match at West Georgia, with Vatrano taking three and putting two on frame off the bench.

Amara Yetka recorded her second consecutive 90-minute effort, picking up three saves against West Georgia. Yetka has seen 450 minutes of game action on the season now, starting four matches and playing the last 225 minutes. She’s recorded 28 saves, which ranks second in the Southern Conference.

Miami has been led by a trio of goalscorers, as Millie Cook, Kayla Perfect, and Coltie Carson have all scored two goals each. Notably, both of Carson’s goals came in Miami’s last match, as she recorded a second-half brace against LSU. Cook and Perfect are tied for the team lead in total points, posting five each.

Senior goalkeeper Diminique Popa has manned the posts for the RedHawks this season, playing every minute of the season so far. She’s recorded 22 saves and has recorded three wins on a 66.7% save percentage.

Up Next for The Catamounts:

WCU is back in action on Sept. 17, as the Catamounts take on UNCG to open the 2026 Southern Conference slate. Kick in Greensboro, N.C. is set for 7 p.m. The Catamounts will then return home to host the Samford Bulldogs on Sept. 20 for a 1 p.m. kick at the Catamount Athletic Complex.