Cullowhee, N.C. – UNCG's women's soccer team earned its third Southern Conference shutout of the season with a 1-0 win over Western Carolina (6-8, 3-2 SoCon) Sunday afternoon. UNCG improves to 5-8-2 overall and 2-2-1 in league action.

Melanie Spensiero (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./ Santa Margarita Catholic) put the Blue & Gold ahead in the fourth minute of the match when she connected with Melissa Canizalez (Las Vegas, Nev./New Mexico State). Spensiero's team-leading fifth goal of the season was all the Spartans would need for the win. Canizalez's helper marks the first of her career with the Spartans.

Chloe Buehler (Perrysburg, Ohio/Penn State) made six saves in her fifth solo shutout of the season. She was backed by a strong Spartans defense, which included Gabbi Charles (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) and Regan Lehman (Wilmington, Del./Padua Academy) who both played all 90 minutes for UNCG.

The Spartans improved to 19-3-2 all-time and has won the last five meetings against the Catamounts. Additionally, UNCG is 9-1 against Western Carolina in Cullowhee, N.C.

UNCG continues its four-match road stretch Friday when it heads south to Charleston, S.C., to face The Citadel Friday, October 14, at 3 p.m.

The UNCG women's soccer alumni weekend is set for October 21-23 during Homecoming Weekend. To register for Alumni Weekend contact Spartan Club Assistant Director Rachael Farlow at rkfarlow@uncg.edu or 336-334-5156. The deadline to RSVP is October 17. 

-UNCG-