MONROE, La. - Western Kentucky University (9-4-1, 4-1-1) errupted for five second half goals to post a 6-1 win over Louisiana-Monroe to end a four game road stretch for the Lady Toppers.
WKU reached the nine win mark for the seventh consecutive season and 11th time in the 12-year history of the program as WKU stayed undefeated in the series against ULM. WKU now holds a 7-0 advantage all-time.
In the seventh minute, sophomore Allie Auscherman (Carmel, Ind.) found the back of the net after launching a shot over top of ULM keeper Alex Holland from 25 yards out. It also marked the sixth time this season that WKU has scored in the opening seven minutes of the game. It was the first time in her career that an Auscherman goal or assist was not part of a game-winning play. Each of her previous four assists or goals in her career had been part of game-winning plays. The Lady Toppers nearly added to their early lead minutes later when in the 11th minute, senior Amanda Buechel (Cincinnati, Ohio) was fouled around 30 yards outside the goal. Junior Kiersten Ottaway's (Fairfield, Ohio) free kick graced the left post and went out of bounds.
ULM answered in the 16th minute, when ULM's Mariah Mitchell launched a shot over the reach of freshman keeper Nikki Hall (Cincinnati, Ohio) into the left, top corner of the net, aided by an aggressive wind.
Freshman Lauren Moats (Nixa, Mo.) almost gave WKU the lead late in the first half when she controlled a free kick in the 43rd minute from Ali Stahlke (Naperville, Ill.) inside the box, but Moats' shot hit the crossbar in the top corner and deflected out. Moats got another look from a difficult angle moments later that failed to find the back of the net.
WKU came out of the gates fast in the second half, taking four shots in the first three minutes of play. The fifth shot of the half finally gave WKU the lead as Sydney Sisler (Nicholasville, Ky.) headed in a beautiful cross from the left side by Buechel to give the Lady Toppers a 2-1 lead in the 49th minute. It was Sisler's first goal since returning earlier this season from a knee injury that kept her out of competition for the last year.
The Lady Toppers added to the lead in the 67th minute when Torrie Lange (Florence, Ky.) deflected a corner from Kelsey Burnette (Bowling Green, Ky.) into the left side of the net for the 3-1 lead. It was Lange's second goal of the season and Burnette's first points of the season for the Lady Toppers.
Moats added a goal in the 84th minute, while Chandler Clark (Florence, Kentucky) rebounded an Ottaway free kick deflection to get her first career goal in the 88th minute. Christen Sims (Madison, Ala.) added a final goal in the 90th minute to determine the final 6-1 score.
ULM (4-10-0, 1-4-0) has now been outscored 25-4 all-time in the series by WKU.
WKU next's home match is Oct. 12, 2012 against South Alabama at the WKU Soccer Complex. First touch is set for 6:00 p.m. Single game tickets are available through the WKU Ticket Office by calling 270-745-5222 or 1-800-5-BIG-RED. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.wkusports.com. In addition, a game ticket package with nine vouchers that can be used for any game during the 2012 season are available for just $25 through the ticket office.
For complete coverage of WKU Soccer, visit the official website of WKU Athletics at www.wkusports.com.
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