WKU is the 2025 CUSA Regular Season Co-Champion along with Liberty and has locked up the number one seed in the CUSA Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hilltoppers controlled possession in the early minutes of the match, keeping the ball on their side of the field. Maddie Davis charted her first save of the day in the seventh minute. Nearly a minute later, Camryn Davis almost snuck one past the Gamecock keeper.
Nine minutes in, Jax State had an opportunity to score but missed to the right resulting in a goal kick for Davis. In the 27th minute, Makenna Egan recorded her first shot on goal, faking out the defender and firing but the ball ended up in the hands of the keeper.
In the 40th minute, Georgia Liapis managed the second shot on target for the Hilltoppers as the Jax State keeper recorded another save. Just 40 seconds later Liapis fired one from right in front of the goal, finding the back of the net for her ninth goal of the season.
WKU would hold the 1-0 lead as the first 45 minutes of play came to a close. In the first half Liapis led the offense with one goal, three shots, and two on target. Davis finished the first 45 minutes of action with one save.
As the rain began to steadily fall, Maggie Bellair recorded the first shot on target of the second half for WKU five minutes in. Liapis followed that with her third shot on target a few minutes later. Davis secured her second save of the match late in the 66th minute of play.
In the 75th minute, Egan had an opportunity to make it a two goal match but missed to the right. WKU was awarded a corner and Danielle Lewin fired one but the Jax State keeper tipped the ball up and out.Â
The Hilltoppers were on the defensive when Lauren Alexander intercepted a pass to give WKU possession. Possession was centered around midfield for the remainder of the match. Jax State recorded a shot in the final minute but Maddie Davis would send one away to put a wrap on the final regular season match of 2025.
NOTABLES
- With the win WKU finishes the regular season 9-4-3 and 6-0-2 in CUSA play.
- The Hilltoppers finish the regular season on top of the league standings with 20 points, alongside Liberty.
- WKU is the 2025 CUSA Regular Season Co-Champion. This marks the fourth regular season title for WKU and their second since joining CUSA.
- WKU will have the number one seed in this year's CUSA Tournament slated for Nov. 2-7 in Lynchburg, Va.
- Georgia Liapis scored her ninth goal of the season in the 40th minute, marking her second consecutive game-winning goal. She finished with a team high four shots and three on target in 90 minutes Sunday afternoon.
- Liapis is the second leading scorer in CUSA, third in points, and fifth in shots.
- Liapis is the only midfielder in CUSA in the top-five in scoring.
- Her nine goals this season are tied-seventh in WKU history and the most for a Hilltopper since 2008.
- Makenna Egan also finished with four shots Sunday in 76 minutes of action.
- Maddie Davis finished with two saves and 90 minutes in goal in her fifth shutout win of the season.Â
- Davis now has the best save percentage in CUSA (.831), first in goals against average (0.800), has the second most shutouts in CUSA, and is third in saves per game (3.77).
- Jason Neidell now has 245 career wins as the head coach of the Hilltoppers.
- The Hilltoppers unblemished conference record is their first since 2020-21.
- With the win, WKU has their first undefeated record in league road play since 2009.
- WKU is the only CUSA team to win every match on the road in league play this season.
- Sunday's win marked the second for WKU in the series against Jax State and their first win in Jacksonville.
- The all-time series mark between the Tops and Gamecocks is now 2-0-2 in favor of WKU.
QUOTABLE
On the win and regular season conference title head coach Jason Neidell said "I am so proud of this team. The investment and commitment of our players to the process says so much about their passion and character after a tough season in 2024. I feel so fortunate to be associated with this group. I am thankful for all the hard work of our coaching staff, trainer, strength coach, and our support staff who poured themselves into this team this season. We are excited to get prepared for the journey ahead in the Conference Tournament."
NEXT UP
WKU will travel to Lynchburg, Va. for the 2025 CUSA Tournament. Quarterfinal action is slated for Sunday, November 2. All matches of the tournament will 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.
