After a defensive stalemate in the first half, WKU (2-1-0) and Evansville (0-1-1) came out in the second half to put up five total goals on the scoreboard between the two teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were scoreless heading into halftime, but fans were in a for a treat in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Kendall Wade broke the scoring drought with a header off a Georgia Liapis serve into the box. Less than three minutes later, Kayla Meyer netted a long-range shot that fired past the keeper into the upper left corner.
Evansville broke up the WKU clean sheet with a goal in the 68th minute.
Freshman Abby Wiedermann scored two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match. Her first goal came off a one-touch shot from just outside the box on a pass from fellow freshman Maggie Morris. Her second of the night came in the last minute of play on a header from a serve into the box from Aspen Seaich.
NOTABLES
- Kayla Meyer is now up to a team-leading three goals on the season and 10 career goals, including four game-winners.
- Kendall Wade's goal was just the second of the defender's career and her first as a Hilltopper.
- Abby Wiedermann joins Meyer as the only Hilltoppers with multiple goals this season.
- Through three matches, six different WKU players have scored a goal and 10 have registered at least a point. Twelve of WKU's 24 total points on the season have come from underclassmen (goals=2 point, assists=1 point).
- WKU outshot Evansville 16-9 in the match.
- Goalkeeper Maddie Davis finished the match with six saves.
- It was the most goals scored against a Division I opponent for WKU since the Hilltoppers scored four against FIU on March 4, 2021 in a 4-3 victory.
- It was the first time WKU has scored four goals in a half since scoring four in the second half against Alabama A&M on Sept. 15, 2019 in a 7-1 win.
- WKU improves to 9-1-2 against Evansville all-time, including a 5-1-0 record against the Purple Aces in Bowling Green.
QUOTABLE
"I think the first half, both teams were trying to feel each other out," said head coach Jason Neidell. "I can't remember the last time we scored four goals in a half. I thought we really stepped up our pressure on both sides of the ball in the second half. I thought we moved the ball pretty well because our spacing was much better in the second half than the first."
"It was a dream (to score two goals in her third collegiate game)," said Abby Wiedermann. "I don't really know how else to explain it. I'm a center back, wing back is not my main position, but I came in here ready to play wing back. I definitely feel confident in playing that position now."
NEXT UP
WKU Soccer will hit the road to take on No. 9 Arkansas on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. in Fayetteville.
