Box Score (.pdf)
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University posted its third shutout of the season and ended non-conference play on a high note, recording a 1-0 win over Belmont on a rainy Saturday evening at the WKU Soccer Complex.
After a successful non-conference campaign, WKU (5-3-0) opens the Sun Belt Conference play on Friday.
Junior Andrea Curry (Fairfield, Ohio) scored her first career goal in the 38th minute that would become the game winner. It was the second time this season that Curry had been part of a game-winning goal after recording an assist on the winning goal against Bowling Green earlier this season.
"It felt really good," said Curry. "I was happy to put the team in a better position to win tonight."
Curry played just 45 minutes and her availability for the game was questionable due to illness.
"She played the entire first half for us and just didn't have the energy to go in the second half," said head coach Jason Neidell. "That was her first career goal and what a great, timely goal it was for us."
WKU outshot the Bruins 26-5 for the game, including shots by 12 different WKU players, but the Lady Toppers were forced to defend for much of the second half when Belmont (4-4-0) played with increased intensity.
"That was fantastic (experience for us in the second half), Belmont threw everything at us. That is the kind of intensity we will see in conference play so it was a really good test for us tonight."
WKU held six of their eight non-conference opponents to one goal or less in the regular season and have suffered just four defeats in their last 20 outings (13-4-3).
WKU returns to the field on Friday, Sept. 21 when the Lady Toppers open the Sun Belt Conference schedule against Arkansas State. First touch is at 6:00pm CT. It is the first of two games against SBC teams at home to open the conference slate. WKU takes on Arkansas-Little Rock on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1:00pm CT. 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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