By Robert Sampson
WKU Athletics Communications/Media Relations
MOBILE, Ala. - In each of WKU's last two trips to Mobile for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, the Lady Toppers have been sent home with a loss to North Texas in the semifinals. On Friday, WKU will have the chance to change that trend when the teams meet at 4:00pm in the semifinals of the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Championships. The teams have met six times previously in conference tournament play, including a WKU win a year ago in the semifinals via penalty kick following a scoreless tie.
Both teams posted 1-0 wins in the opening round to advance to Friday's semifinals.
BUECHEL CONTINUES TO CLIMB WKU RECORD BOOKS: Senior Amanda Buechel (Cincinnati, Ohio) continues to climb up the WKU record books. Her goal to give WKU a 1-0 win over Arkansas State on Wednesday in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament pushed her into sole possession of fourth place on WKU's all-time goal list on Wednesday. She now has 26 career goals. She is now tied for second in program history in career points at 71. She is tied with Jenna Silverberg for the honor. Stahlke was a second-team All-Conference selection.
SHUTOUT STREAK CONTINUES: After going through the entire Sun Belt Conference Tournament a year ago without allowing a goal, WKU has now shutout four straight opponents in Sun Belt Conference Tournament play, the best streak in program history. WKU's opening round shutout was the fifth shutout over the last three years for the Lady Toppers in Sun Belt Conference Tournament play.
STAHLKE ON OFFENSE: Senior Ali Stahlke (Naperville, Ill.) provided yet another offensive boost to WKU on Wednesday. The Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year was awarded one of two assists on WKU's game-winning goal on Wednesday against Arkansas State. It was the fourth time Stahlke has been involved in a goal this season and third of conference play. She has three goals and one assist on the season.
