University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sophomore Chloe Arnold netted her fourth multi-goal game of the year to lead the Mocs to a 2-1 win over Western Carolina Friday night in Southern Conference women’s soccer action.
Chattanooga improves to 7-5-2 overall and 3-1-1 in league play.
The Catamounts fall to 5-5-2 on the year and 2-2 against the SoCon.
“Great three points for us because Western is a really good side,” Chattanooga head coach Gavin McKinney said. “They’re tough and they’re gritty and you have to earn absolutely everything in this league. The league, all together, is ultra-competitive, top to bottom.”
Arnold scored both goals in the second half and earned her third game winner of the year. Her first goal came in the 61st minute on a shot from Maggie Shaw to the far post. Arnold picked it up and drove it into the back of the net.
“The right place at the right time,” McKinney said. “You’ll take those as a center forward all day.”
Her second goal at the 75:10 mark was a 1v1. Holly Massey served it up to Arnold who pushed quickly through the defense and went one-on-one with the defender and slotted it into the net for the game winner.
“We opened the game up and found Chloe in space,” McKinney said. She’s really dangerous when she’s in space running forward and it was a great finish.”
Western Carolina got on the board first in the 38th minute when Kate Swartout picked up a pass from Reily Nelson and sent her shot into the top middle of the net to make it 1-0.
“We went down one-nil,” McKinney said. “I thought we showed great character and we didn’t panic and we kept plugging away at it.”
Junior Melia Correa got the start for the Mocs and earned her second win of the season with two saves.
“We preach team to the girls and they’ve got to be ready when their time is called,” McKinney said. “Melia showed that tonight. The save on the corner in the second half was fantastic. It was a really difficult save and she tipped it over the bar.”
Chattanooga outshot the Catamounts 17-6 with an 8-3 shots on goal difference. WCU keeper Natalie Icen had six saves. Arnold had a game-high four shots with two on goal. Shaw and Anna Rogers each has three shots.
Chattanooga returns to action Sunday afternoon against East Tennessee State. The game is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. at Finley Stadium. Admission is free and gates will open one hour prior to kick off. Follow all the action online at GoMocs.com.