Lady Toppers Fall to Charlotte in C-USA Semifinal

Thursday, April 15

Houston, Texas

4:30 PM

Western Kentucky University

8-2-2

Charlotte

6-5-0

Charlotte

Western Kentucky

4/15/2021 7:38:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score HC Jason Neidell Postgame

HOUSTON — WKU Soccer made a push in the second half against Charlotte, but suffered a 2-0 loss to the 49ers in the semifinals of the Conference USA Championship semifinals in Houston on Thursday.

"It's always hard to beat a team twice in the same year regardless of who it is or when it is and obviously Charlotte is a quality opponent," said head coach Jason Neidell. "They were very stingy defensively tonight. We didn't really have much of an answer for it other than to shoot some shots from outside the box."

Charlotte took a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute when a 49er got off a clean shot that extended just out of Ashley Kobylinski's reach.

Down a goal at halftime, WKU was the more aggressive team in the second half. The Lady Toppers outshot Charlotte 8-3 in the final 45 and dominated possession. The 49ers second goal came on a penalty kick after a takedown by WKU in the box.

Overall, WKU outshot Charlotte 13-6 in the match, but the 49ers put one more shot on goal than the Lady Toppers. Katie Erwin and Lucy Lyon each had three shots in the match to lead WKU. Ellie Belcher and Annah Hopkins each had two. Kobylinski finished with two saves.

"It was a great season. We've got nothing to hang our heads about. It's obviously a disappointing result tonight and it stings for me, the rest of our staff and our student-athletes. We had a fantastic season. We're really proud of our accomplishments. Something like this makes you eager to get back out on the field in a few short months and do it again," said Neidell.

The loss closes out one of the most successful seasons in WKU history. The Lady Toppers dropped their season opener, but responded by rattling off a 10-match unbeaten streak and going unbeaten in conference regular season play, the only C-USA team to do so. WKU claimed the East Division regular season title, their first conference championship since 2013. The Red and White also won their first match in the C-USA Championship since joining the league.

"I joked earlier in the year that we have 17 freshmen and sophomores so they better impact the program because if they don't we won't have a very good season. The freshmen and sophomores have been outstanding. They've set a higher standard for the program this season. Now the challenge is out there to exceed that. We're young and everyone is going to be back," said Neidell.

The WKU team is currently made up of nine freshmen, eight sophomore, six juniors and two seniors. With that group back WKU will look to be one of the top teams in the league in the fall of 2021.

How to follow the Lady Toppers: For complete information on WKU Soccer, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Soccer on Twitter and Instagram.