By Kate Swartwout
Freshman goalkeeper, Melody Mezzina, has had one of the best starts for the Catamounts since 2007.
Mezzina currently leads the Catamount goalkeepers in games played (12), minutes played (1014:55), goals-against average (1.24), saves (32), wins (7) and shutouts (5). She ranks fourth in shutouts in the Southern Conference behind two sophomores (Chattanooga's Anna Shield and Wofford's Maria Mon) and Mercer junior Jordyn Ebert. Mezzina is seventh in goals-against average and 10th in saves in the conference.
Her impressive performances have helped her earn Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 17, the first Catamount freshman goalkeeper to do so since Caitlin Williams in 2007.
Much of Mezzina's success can be attributed to several factors: her insatiable work ethic, her trust in her backline and the confidence that Head Coach Chad Miller and Associate Head Coach Todd Herman have instilled in her.
“She's been really impressive to us, her mentality and the way she approaches training,” said Miller. “She's the kind of player that does a lot on her own; the type you actually have to think about holding her back at times.”
“She came in prepared and has a professional attitude about it [training],” said Herman. “She's goal-oriented and is constantly looking to improve herself. She thinks about it a lot, it's a priority in her life.”
Mezzina currently sits tied for eighth in the Catamount Soccer record books for most shutouts in a season (4) and follows just Williams for most shutouts by a freshman (6). Mezzina is also tied for 12th for most wins (6) and again, just trails Williams for most wins by a freshman (6).
“Honestly, the statistics and honors speak more to the backline and team defense,” said Mezzina. “If I have good stats, that just means my defense has been solid.”
The Brampton, Ontario native found Western Carolina University after attending a showcase in the U.S. during her senior year of high school.
“Soccer's been unreal, I love being able to just go go go every day, classes are great and campus life is amazing,” said Mezzina. “What's really different here is the team environment and actually having a group of girls here who are like a family compared to just a part-time team back in Canada.”
When asked about what's next for the standout freshman, her answer was simple.
“My goal is always the same, I just want to learn from the last game and be better than the last time I played,” said Mezzina.
The Catamounts are back in action this weekend as they look to round out their regular season play with road games at UNC Greensboro and VMI.
NEWS AND NOTES FOR THIS WEEKEND
Western Carolina and UNCG meet for the 27th time on Friday, Oct. 25 with UNCG leading the overall series 20-3-3. The Spartans have won six of the last seven meetings with a 2-2 double-overtime tie in Greensboro in 2017. The Catamount's last victory over UNCG came in 2012 when Western Carolina defeated the Spartans 1-0 in Greensboro.
› Watch ESPN3: HERE
› Live Stats: HERE
Sunday, Oct. 27 Western Carolina and VMI meet for the seventh time. The Catamounts have won each of the last six meetings – each by shutout.
› Watch ESPN+: HERE
› Live Stats: HERE
For the latest information on Catamount women's soccer, follow @catamounts on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com.
