WKU Soccer Starts Off Season with 2-0 Win Against Austin Peay

Thursday, August 19

Bowling Green, Ky.

7 PM

Western Kentucky University

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Austin Peay

1-1-1, 0-0-0

Austin Peay

Western Ky.

WKU Soccer Starts Off Season with 2-0 Win Against Austin Peay

8/19/2021 11:43:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score HC Jason Neidell Postgame Interview Lyric Schmidt Postgame Interview Katie Erwin Postgame Interview

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Soccer started 2021 season on the right foot, shutting out Austin Peay, 2-0, at the WKU Soccer Complex on Thursday night.

"I thought we did a good job defensively tonight," said head coach Jason Neidell. "We were pretty stingy. I thought we were started defending higher up the field which was really, really good. When we lost the ball, we fought really hard to get it back."

It was a dominant defensive and offensive effort from the Lady Toppers with WKU outshooting the Governors 23-2 in the match. The WKU defense held Austin Peay to no goals, two shots and zero shots on goal on the night.

"We're a high-pressing team and that's what we focus on and we like to play out of the back," said junior forward Katie Erwin. "Being the first line of defense that can be stingy – if we can win the ball higher up in the field that's how we get 23 shots and there's a better chance to score off it."

After a scoreless first half, the Lady Toppers capitalized in the second. In the 51st minute, Lily Rummo connected a pass to Erwin who put it through for what would be the game-winning goal. Less than four minutes later, Erwin facilitated another goal, this time as the assister. She found Annah Hopkins who sent it to the back of the net for the insurance WKU needed.

Lyric Schmidt, Kayla Meyer and Hopkins each notched three shots in the match to lead the team. Erwin, Brina Micheels and Ansley Cate added two shots.

"Going into preseason we had four days before we had our first (exhibition) game, so we haven't really gotten to work on our attack," said senior defender Lyric Schmidt. "I'm pretty proud of us tonight. We know how to be gritty and get behind the defense and score a goal."

WKU improves to 14-7 in season openers all-time and 17-3-1 in home openers in program history. The Lady Toppers are now 8-1-1 against Austin Peay all-time and 6-0-1 against the Govs in Bowling Green.

The Lady Toppers will have a quick turnaround with another match coming on Saturday. WKU will host Union University (Tenn.) at the WKU Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.

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.