Cate's Second Half Goal Propels WKU to Win at UTEP

Thursday, October 10

El Paso, Texas

8 P.M. CT

Western Kentucky University

7-4-1, 3-2-2

UTEP

7-4-3, 2-2-1

Team	1	2	Final F
WKU	0	1	1
UTEP	0	0	0

10/10/2019 10:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

EL PASO, Texas — WKU soccer got its four-match road streak off to a positive start on Thursday with a 1-0 win at UTEP. Ansley Cate got the game-winner for the Lady Toppers to clinch a tough Conference USA victory.

WKU improves to 7-4-1 on the season and 3-2 in conference play, putting them in a four-way tie for third place in league standings with nine points. The seven wins for the Lady Toppers is the most through 12 matches since the 2016 season when WKU finished 12-6-1.

"We challenged the team to bring more to the game in the second half, and they answered the challenge," said head coach Jason Neidell. " We played a brilliant second half, and I'm so proud of our kids."

At the half, the match was scoreless, but the Miners (7-4-3, 2-2-1 C-USA) looked the more aggressive team with 10 shots compared to WKU's five. At the start of the second half it was clear the Lady Toppers were looking to attack. Cate wasted no time and put the Lady Toppers ahead in the 51st minute. Chandler Backes found Cate in the box and Cate headed it past the Miner keeper. WKU ended the second half outshooting UTEP, 14-4.

It was Cate's fourth goal of the season and her second game-winner of the year. The freshman previously got the winner in WKU's win against Belmont. Backes got her second assist of the season on the play.

Any win in C-USA is impressive, but road wins are even harder to come by. The Miners had a four-match home streak prior to WKU's win tonight and the Lady Toppers handed UTEP its only second loss at home this season.

Anne-Marie Ulliac turned in an impressive performance, earning her fifth clean sheet of the season with seven saves on the night. She is the league's second-leading shutout earner and WKU's six total shutouts is also the second most for a team in C-USA.

With the win, WKU clinched its 199th victory in program history while simultaneously claiming Neidell's 199th win as head coach. The Lady Toppers will be looking for win number 200 at FIU on Sunday when WKU travels to Miami to take on the Panthers at 12 p.m. (CT).