BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Soccer came away with a win in their first home game of the season Thursday night defeating Conference USA foe FIU, 4-3. The Lady Toppers climb to 3-1-0 on the season and 2-0-0 in league play.
"I'm really excited for the team," said head coach Jason Neidell. "It's been a long time coming to get out on the field, but to know we are atop Conference USA East division in first place right now with six points is a really special feeling."
With the win, WKU is currently in first place in the East division (2-0-0 C-USA).
Fifteen minutes elapsed before Ambere Barnett zipped her penalty kick into the bottom-left corner of the net past the outstretched hands of the FIU goalkeeper. The first half proved to be tame in comparison to the flurry of goals that came in the second.
The Lady Toppers got on the board again in the 55th minute with a goal by Katie Erwin, her first of the season, assisted by Barnett. The Panthers quickly responded with a goal of their own just three minutes later. In the 72nd minute though, WKU would strike again. Yet another crisp kick by Katie Erwin met the back of the net.
"Katie Erwin was spectacular tonight in both attacking and defending," Neidell said. "Her fitness level took her through. She rode this wave of momentum through the game. She was really creating chances right and left for us.
WKU would not waste time attacking again as Sydney Ernst found Ambere Barnett for a goal in the 74th minute.
The Panthers would score again in the 76th and 81st minutes but the Lady Toppers held them there and secured the victory with a stout defensive effort in the waning minutes of the match.
A testament to their aggression, WKU ended the game with 13 more shots than FIU (19-6). The Lady Toppers are remaining accurate when striking this season too. Their shots-on-goal percentage is 69 percent compared to their opponents' 48 percent.
Barnett's now leads WKU in goals (four) and points with 10 (four goals, two assists). Her 16 career assists are tied with Alicia Dalby for the fourth most in program history. She now has 48 career points, tying her with Betsy Duncan for ninth place in WKU's record book.
Ernst is tied for the team's lead in assists with two on the season (tied with Barnett, Avery Jacobsen and Brina Micheels).
WKU improves to 16-3-1 in home openers all-times. The Lady Toppers also improve to 12-5-3 against FIU and have won five straight against the Panthers.
The Lady Toppers will return to play at home on Saturday against Centre. The match is set for a 2 p.m. start at the WKU Soccer Complex.
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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