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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Freshman Chandler Backes netted her C-USA-leading ninth goal of the season and WKU extended its shutout streak to 443 minutes as the Lady Toppers downed Southern Miss, 1-0, on Thursday evening at the WKU Soccer Complex.
WKU (7-3-0, 2-0-0) has not surrendered a goal since the sixth minute against LSU on Sept. 8 and has opened C-USA play with 180 minutes of scoreless defense against Marshall and Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles (5-3-0, 0-2-0) mustered a strong offensive attack over the final 10 minutes but were unable to break through.
Sarah Gorham led all players with four shots, two of which were on goal, on the evening. Iris Dunn also fired a trio for the Lady Toppers, while Breann Hedin led in the category for the Golden Eagles with a pair of shots. As a team, WKU held Southern Miss to just a pair of shots on goal, the sixth time in the last seven matches in which its opponents have been held to three or fewer.
Allison Leone tallied her fourth consecutive solo shutout for WKU, playing the full 90 minutes while making a pair of saves between the pipes. Brittany Taylor of the Golden Eagles dropped the decision, making four saves and allowing Backes' goal while also playing the full match.
Neither side had a strong effort on goal until Backes netted the eventual match-winner at the 25:33 mark. The Carmel, Ind., native received an excellent cross from Dunn on the right side and sent a header low and directly past Taylor for the go-ahead score. The freshman moved into a tie for sixth on WKU's all-time single-season charts with the goal, matching Allison Nellis (2002) and Kristin Cocchiarella (2008).
WKU had a chance to add to its lead in the 33rd minute, but an effort by Dunn went just left of the post. Three minutes later, Gorham's headed attempt was stopped by Taylor and the two sides headed into the halftime break with the Lady Toppers leading 1-0.
Just under 10 minutes into the second half, Dee Dee Green nearly doubled the WKU advantage. The defender made a long run with possession down the left side, eventually finding herself with space in close against Taylor, who was able to dive and corral the ball to maintain the scoreline.
Southern Miss' best chance of the evening came in the 84th minute on a scramble inside the WKU box. Hedin fired an initial shot that was saved but not controlled by Leone, and Somer Jones' attempt on the rebound was struck to the left of the goal to end the scoring threat.
WKU will have just over a week off before returning to action on its Texas road trip. The Lady Toppers are set to take on preseason C-USA favorite Rice at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30 before traveling to face North Texas on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. The Lady Toppers will be seeking their first victory against either side since joining C-USA prior to the 2014 season.
Season tickets are available online at WKUSports.com or by phone at 1-800-5-BIGRED. A $25 flexible ticket package is available that includes all four remaining regular season home matches against Middle Tennessee, UAB, UTSA and Old Dominion.
For more information on WKU Soccer, visit WKUSports.com or follow the team via social media @WKU_Soccer on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUAthletics.
