Makenna Egan was credited with WKU's game winning goal in the 80th minute of the match. Egan is now second on the team in goals scored with four. Maddie Davis managed two crucial saves on Thursday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU controlled possession early in the first half, keeping the ball on the offensive side of the field. Torrie Grant-Clavijo nearly got the scoring started early with a shot in the bottom third that was saved by the La Tech goalkeeper in the fourth minute.Â
The Bulldogs would get their first shot off in the 11th minute, Abby Wiedermann would follow minutes later as her shot was blocked. Camryn Davis, Maggie Bellair, and Grant-Clavijo each charted shots in the next several minutes.Â
Ansley Rice would fire off WKU's second shot on goal in the 22nd minute, as the Tops continued to attack the Bulldog defense. Grant-Clavijo would get one more look in the final 10 minutes of the half as the two went into the break even at 0-0.
The Bulldogs managed the first shot of the second frame and Georgia Liapis got her first shot of the night off four minutes into the half. Makenna Egan recorded her first shot of the match 56 minutes in. Liapis recorded the first shot on goal of the half for WKU in minute 62.Â
In the 70th minute, Maddie Davis recorded her first save and followed that up seven minutes later with her second of the match to keep it a scoreless tie. In the 80th minute, Egan lined up a cross and it ricocheted off the defender and found the back of the net to give WKU a 1-0 lead. The Tops maintained possession for the final 10 minutes, only allowing one shot while taking two of their own. Davis would fire off a kick in the final seconds and WKU secured their first CUSA road win of the season.
NOTABLES
- With the win WKU moves to 5-4-2 and 2-0-1 in CUSA play. WKU now has seven points in CUSA play this season.
- The Hilltoppers are currently tied for second in the table in points with seven along with Sam Houston and Missouri State, the next two opponents for WKU.
- For the second straight match, Makenna Egan headlined action as she was credited with the game-winning goal in the 80th minute. Egan now has four goals this season which is second on the team.
- Egan is in a seven-way tie for seventh most goals in Conference USA this season.
- A trio of Hilltoppers led the team in shots taken in Maggie Bellair, Georgia Liapis, and Torrie Grant-Clavijo, all recording three apiece. All three finished with one shot on goal each.
- Maddie Davis played the full sheet in goal for WKU and finished with two saves. Davis now has 148 saves in her Hilltopper career.
- Thursday marked the second shutout of the season for Davis who now has 16 in her career.
- Abby Wiedermann, Alyvia Walls, Alaina Nugier, Georgia Liapis, Kora Kipley, and Maddie Davis all played the full 90 minutes of action.
- Georgia Liapis is now sixth in CUSA in shots taken with 27.
- WKU used the same starting lineup for the third consecutive match. In those three contests, WKU holds a 2-0-1 mark.
- As a team WKU outshot the Bulldogs 16-10, managing five shots on target compared to two for Louisiana Tech.
- The all-time series mark between the Tops and Bulldogs is now even at 4-4-1.
- The 1-0 win Thursday night also marked the first ever for WKU over Louisiana Tech in Ruston. The Hilltoppers were previously 0-4-1.
- Thursday's win marked the first CUSA road win for WKU since a 2-0 win over UTEP on September 29, 2024.
QUOTABLE
"On the hard-fought road win, head coach Jason Neidell said "I'm so proud of our players. This is a tough road trip, and our team was very committed to this game tonight. We worked and worked and finally were rewarded with 10 minutes left. This is our first win at La Tech in program history. We're going to enjoy this tonight and then get ready for another tough match on Sunday."
NEXT UP
WKU will continue the road-trip with a matinee match Sunday, October 5 at Sam Houston. Kick-off from Huntsville is set for 1 p.m. CT, set to be streamed on ESPN+
Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Soccer, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Soccer on X and Instagram and @WKUSoccer on Facebook.
