Both defenses dominated the first half, with WKU and Centenary both managing only one shot on goal.
In the second half, the Toppers found their offensive game, firing 10 shots to Centenary's five. "We played much better in the second half," head coach David Holmes said. "We came out with much more energy."
The Toppers began their scoring in the 61st minute when Ben Backstrom scored his second goal of the season. Brad Magnuson put the game away in the 85th minute when he scored off an assist from Benard Airo.
Samuel Drummond had three shots, while Magnuson, Glen Marshall, and Will Thompson each fired two shots. "Will Thompson and Brad Magnuson came off the bench and played very well," Holmes said. "They really gave us a lift."
For the game, WKU outshot the Cyclones 14 to eight, with goalkeeper Kyle Schroeder making four saves to notch his second shutout of the season.
WKU will play in their second and final game of the Fairfield Inn Bowling Green Hilltopper Classic on Sunday at 2 p.m. (CDT) against Belmont. In the first game of the Classic, Belmont defeated Conference USA affiliate Marshall University 3-2 in overtime.
