Big Second Half Carries WKU Past Evansville, 4-1

Sunday, September 3

Bowling Green, Ky.

6 P.M. CT

Western Kentucky University

3-2-0

Evansville

2-4-0

Evansville

WKU

9/3/2017 9:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Jason Neidell Postgame Video Chandler Backes Postgame Video

Box Score (PDF)

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Leading 1-0 at the halftime break, WKU found the back of the net three times in the final 45 minutes on Sunday evening, including a brace from sophomore Chandler Backes, as the Lady Toppers picked up a 4-1 victory over Evansville at the WKU Soccer Complex.

Of WKU's season-high 23 shots, 14 came during the second-half offensive barrage and 12 were on target throughout the match. Backes had a match-high five attempts, followed by Sarah Gorham's four and three apiece from Hannah Chua and Megan Morris. Freshman Ashley Leonard again found the back of the net to open the scoring on Sunday after tallying the golden goal in WKU's last match against UT Martin, while Morris scored for the first time this season in the 75th minute.

Backes' pair of goals on Sunday gives her 14 for her career in just 24 career matches, already just one shy of tying Morgan Thomas for 10th place on the program's all-time goalscoring list. With an assist on Leonard's opening goal, Backes also has 31 career points (14 goals, three assists) and is within striking distance of the top 10 in that category as well.

In addition to outshooting Evansville 23-9 on the evening, WKU also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks as Aleksandra Kozovic continued to handle the set piece duties from the corner flags for the Lady Toppers.

In goal, Allison Leone made three saves and surrendered just one goal before giving way to Keely Vincent with nine minutes remaining for the first time this season. Vincent, a Bowling Green native, was not pressed into action for any saves during her relief appearance.

For Evansville, Katie Schroeder led the way with three shots and the Purple Aces' lone goal of the evening. JBess Ruby and Sara Osinski each placed one shot on goal but could not overcome a stout WKU defense. Michaela Till played the first 61 minutes of the night in goal for Evansville, making two saves and giving up two goals while taking the loss; Julie Rabe played the final 29 minutes with six saves while also allowing WKU to score twice.

As it did against UT Martin last Sunday, WKU applied offensive pressure often throughout the first 20 minutes of the match. Gorham had an opportunity on the first offensive possession of the night and sent a chance from 30 yards out just over the bar, and Morris and Shayna Dheel sent chances wide right and left, respectively, over the next 15 minutes. Kozovic had a trio of corners in the 16th minute, but could not push the Lady Toppers to an early breakthrough.

Evansville threatened off its first corner kick, as Molly Lear found the head of Schroeder just in front of the goal. Schroeder angled the attempt toward the face of the goal, but Leone was there for the save to end the Purple Aces' offensive attack.

Set up by another Kozovic corner in the 37th minute, WKU finally broke through for a 1-0 lead with a few minutes remaining in the first frame. The sophomore's set piece found Backes inside the box, who headed it down for Leonard; the freshman then flipped the ball over her head and into the right corner of the net for the second goal of her career to give WKU the lead.

Just 12 minutes into the second half, Backes added an insurance goal for the Lady Toppers on a through-ball from freshman Deven Jackson. Jackson played Backes through at the edge of the box, and the Carmel, Ind., native found space and beat Till low for her third goal of the season to put WKU ahead 2-0 over the Purple Aces.

Backes again struck after a scrum inside the box in the 67th minute. After initially being stopped by Rabe on her run through the box, Backes regained control of the ball behind the goalkeeper before slotting home the chance, putting WKU ahead 3-0 and firmly in control of the match.

Morris added the final goal of the night for WKU at the 74:36 mark. After the ball fell at her feet, the junior took a short run up the left side before firing a blast toward goal, beating Rabe as the powerful shot found the upper right corner of the goal.

Evansville pulled a goal back less than a minute later as Schroeder tallied her first of the season, but the Purple Aces could not close the gap any further as WKU's defense held for the 4-1 final scoreline.

WKU will return to action next Friday evening at 6 p.m. as the Lady Toppers host SEC foe Vanderbilt at the WKU Soccer Complex. WKU will be aiming for its first victory over a Power 5 conference team since a 2-1 double overtime victory over Ole Miss on Aug. 22, 2008, as it hosts the Commodores, and admission will be free for all fans. The first 100 fans in attendance for next Friday's match will also receive a free WKU Soccer scarf.