April 23, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University men's soccer team completed its spring season with an undefeated 4-0-3 record, scoring wins over Mid-Continent College, Brescia, Southern Indiana and a squad of WKU alumni soccer players.
"I was pleased with both individual and team improvement during the nontraditional spring season," said head coach David Holmes. "Our seven-game exhibition schedule gave all members of the team valuable playing experience. We were also able to experiment some in looking ahead to next year."
The Toppers played to a 1-1 tie with the Nashville Metros, a United Soccer League (USL) professional development team. The 2003 Metros roster features some current and former Hilltoppers.
One of WKU's best outings of the spring came against Southern Indiana, as freshmen Brandon Bailey and Steven Medlock tallied goals in the first half en route to a 2-1 win. Bailey's goal came off a cross from freshman Clay McMillian, while Medlock scored off an assist from freshman Daniel Payne.
"We played very well and the score could have been 4-0 at halftime," said Holmes. "It was just a dominating performance by our guys. We played attacking soccer from the opening whistle, and played much sharper than we had in the alumni game the week before."
The Hilltoppers return 16 letterwinners from last year's 8-10-1 squad and will have eight newcomers to work into the mix when the 2003 season begins in the fall.
"We should have a very deep squad in 2003," said Holmes. "Competition for starting positions and playing time promises to be intense."
- WKU -
