Box Score (.pdf)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A goal in the final 70 seconds of play sent WKU home to Bowling Green with a 2-2 tie with 14th-ranked Memphis.
"A world of difference (between Friday and tonight)," said head coach Jason Neidell. "We saw two different teams this weekend. We saw a team that looked like they had a preseason today. It was really good to see. I was really excited to see the girls respond well to the challenges we put in front of them after Friday night's game."
The dramatic goal in the 88th minute came from freshman forward Lauren Moats (Nixa, Mo.). Moats' shot found its way over freshman keeper Christa Strickland on a shot from the right side of the box.
"Ali (Stahlke) sent me a ball from the back," said Moats. "My back was facing the goal and I was able to control it with my head, make a turn and send it over the goalies head. When I turned around, I thought to myself, 'Is this real?'It was so awesome. Hopefully, there are more to come."
With the Toppers trailing late, the defensive pressure was extended in the final 12 minutes of the contest, eventually leading to the tying goal.
"We were sitting back a little bit because we were playing a good team," said Neidell. "As soon as we told our team to step up the pressure, they all stepped up as a unit. They put the pressure on and we were able to get that goal in the final minutes."
The Lady Toppers were forced to step up the defensive pressure after Memphis senior Taylor Isenhower connected on a header off a corner kick in the 75th minute to take a 2-1 lead.
Senior Amanda Buechel (Cincinnati, Ohio) got the Lady Toppers off to a quick start in the second half, scoring in the 49th minute on a three versus one breakaway situation to tie the game at one. Buechel dribbled in before breaking free and finding the touch to place the ball in the right corner of the net past Memphis keeper Becca Brown. Earlier, Memphis sophomore Kaitlyn Atkins had found the top corner of the net, out of the reach of WKU freshman keeper Nikki Hall (Hamilton, Ohio) on a shot from 18 yards out in the 26th minute to give the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Toppers head back to Bowling Green to begin the regular season on Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 when WKU plays host to Evansville. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. at the WKU Soccer Complex. 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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