LEXINGTON, Va. - Two goals from Kasey Cooke paced the Western Carolina Catamounts, as they defeated the VMI Keydets, 5-0, in Southern Conference women's soccer action on a rain-laden Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field in Lexington.

The Catamounts (5-4-2, 1-1 SoCon) put pressure on the Keydets from the opening whistle, and broke through in the seventh minute. Amanda Schwartz played a high, arcing cross across the box and Cooke headed the ball past VMI (4-7, 0-2) goalkeeper Darien Dunham at the near post to open the scoring. WCU would score once more in the first half, and broke it open by tallying three times in the second half.

For the day, WCU held a 22-6 edge in shots, including a 14-3 edge in tries on goal. The Catamounts had all 12 of the match's corner kicks, while Dunham was credited with nine of VMI's 10 saves. Alex Frank made a team save early in the second half as well. Keepers Carly Tinstman and Lauren Martin combined for three saves for the Catamounts.

After Cooke put Western ahead early, the Catamounts then added on in in the 24th minute. Keniya Lee attempted to clear a ball deep inside the VMI defensive end, but mishit the ball and it rolled approximately three feet away. Sheridan Caudle of WCU was waiting, stepped into the ball and blasted it top shelf to make it 2-0, Catamounts, which was the score at halftime.

After a spectacular team save by Frank in the 52nd minute kept it 2-0, WCU immediately tacked on a third goal. Alexa Frankeny had a sliding shot attempt in the box and hit it off the crossbar, but the resultant rebound came free to Cooke, who hammered it home for a 3-0 Catamount advantage.

Markie Studnicky (58th) and Deyana Walker (63rd) added on late to account for the final margin.

VMI women's soccer will return to action October 2, when the Keydets begin a four-match road swing at Wofford in Spartanburg, S.C. Game time is set for 6 p.m.