Nov. 3, 2000
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky men's soccer team will play Vanderbilt on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. (CST) at the WKU Soccer Complex. The Hilltoppers currently stand at 9-10 overall and 7-4 in the MVC after a 4-0 loss to Evansville Thursday night.
The Hilltoppers will be looking for its first win in the MVC Conference tournament in three tries when they face the Commodores on Sunday in a rematch of a 2-1 Vanderbilt last-second, double overtime victory. Vanderbilt fell behind 1-0 to the Hilltoppers in the thrilling match and pulled even as regulation wound down. During the second 15 minute overtime with just three seconds left, Vanderbilt nailed the match winning goal to send the Hilltoppers to 1-1 in the conference.
WKU has since rebounded to win four straight matches in the MVC, a school record. They also shutout three straight opponents during the season, and for the first time in their four year history inside the MVC got their first road weekend sweep and home weekend sweep.
Steven Brown (Bowling Green, Ky.) has nailed nine match winning goals on the season in nine WKU victories. His 14 goals and four assists rank him fourth overall in the conference. Brown and three other seniors will be appearing at the WKU Soccer Complex for the final time in their collegiate careers.
The Hilltoppers have been led in goal by redshirt freshman Daryl Sattler (Cordova, Tenn.) who has recorded 6.5 shutouts on the season, including six inside the conference, which leads the MVC.
The Hilltopper have received a big defensive effort from junior Steve Gardner (Louisville, Ky.) who has been a key leader in the Hilltopper's defensive success this season.
After losing their first four matches of the season, the Hilltoppers have come back strong by winning nine of 15 matches.
"The quality and character of our senior class has been tremendous," head coach David Holmes said. "Our players have displayed a great work ethic this year, and they have battled back all year long. We now are taking our matches one at a time, we are ready to compete."
The Hilltoppers will be looking for the victory on Sunday night at 7 p.m. (CST) against Vanderbilt that will send them to the MVC quarterfinals in St. Louis,Mo. on Nov. 10-12. The winner of the MVC tournament receives an automatic bid into the 2000 Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament.
All youth soccer players will receive free admission to the match by wearing their game jerseys.
