BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Off to their best start since the 2008 season, WKU Soccer grinded out a 2-1 win against Marshall on Thursday evening in Bowling Green. The Lady Toppers improve to 5-1-1 on the season and 3-0-1 in Conference USA play and push their unbeaten streak to six matches.
With 10 points in the C-USA standings, WKU has a four-point lead over the next closest team. Teams receive three points for every win in conference play and one point for ties.
"I was really proud of our team tonight," said head coach Jason Neidell. "I felt like tonight's performance was our most complete performance of the season. I've gone into halftime with constructive criticism a lot, but tonight I was able to go into halftime and congratulate the team on a really great first half. It's a game of inches and we need to keep getting a little bit better each time we step out on the field – whether it's training or games."
The Lady Toppers were able to strike first in the 26th minute on a header from Ellie Belcher on a corner kick. Brina Micheels took the corner for WKU and launched the ball into the box and Belcher finished it off.
Marshall evened up the score 10 minutes into the second half with a penalty kick.
Ansley Cate launched a kick from just outside the box in the 63rd minute in a 1v1 situation that snuck past the Marshall goalkeeper to put WKU back ahead. That goal was the last of the game and proved to be the game-winner.
WKU finished with 16 shots and 15 corners, both a double-digit lead over Marshall's six shots and four corners.
It was Belcher's and Cate's second goals of the season and the seventh of Cate's career at WKU. Micheels now has three assists on the season, leading the team. It was Erwin's second helper of the year.
WKU will return to the WKU Soccer Complex on Saturday, March 27 against the Louisville Cardinals. First touch is set for 2 p.m.
How to follow the Lady Toppers: For complete information on WKU Lady Topper Soccer, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Soccer on Twitter and Instagram.
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