Mackenzie Howard scored the winning goal in the final seconds for WKU. With the win, WKU moves into first place in the table in the Conference USA standings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first eight minutes of the match were confined to the middle of the field with back and forth play. Makenna Egan managed to get off the first shot in the eighth minute.
Maddie Davis recorded the second shot for WKU on Sunday from the midline, off to the left. Davis recorded her first save in minute 28. Two minutes later, Davis recorded another save. Liapis followed that on the other end with a shot of her own. Tight defense from the Hilltoppers prevented the Bearkats from breaking the tie with multiple shot blocks. At the end of the half WKU drew a few corner kicks but weren't able to capitalize as the two went into the break in a scoreless tie. The Tops managed six corners compared to one for the Bearkats in the first frame.
In the 52nd minute of action, Liapis almost broke the scoring column, saved by the Sam Houston goalkeeper. Davis picked up her fifth save of the match to keep things even in the 76th minute. In the final few minutes WKU managed a team save and Davis picked up another save.
In the final 15 seconds of the match Lauren Alexander managed a cross into the box and Mackenzie Howard tapped the ball in and time would run out as the Hilltoppers secured their third CUSA victory.
NOTABLES
- With the win WKU moves to 6-4-2 and 3-0-1 in CUSA play. WKU now has 10 points in CUSA play this season.
- WKU's six wins match the most in a season since 2023 when they went 6-5-7.
- Mackenzie Howard scored the winning goal for WKU in the final 10 seconds of the match, marking the first of her career. Howard finished with one goal on one shot in 14 minutes.
- Lauren Alexander assisted in the goal, marking the first of her Hilltopper career.
- In goal, Maddie Davis finished with six saves and a shutout win in the full 90 minutes.
- Sunday marked the second straight shutout for Davis and her third this season.
- Georgia Liapis led WKU with three shots on Sunday afternoon and two on target in the full 90 minutes.
- Makenna Egan and Kora Kipley followed with two shots apiece. Egan played 83 minutes and Kipley finished with 64.
- WKU's 3-0-1 mark in league play is the best start since 2021 when they won their first four matches of Conference Play.
- WKU's 3-0-1 record in CUSA is the best in the league and the Tops have the league lead in the table with 10 points this season.
- Sam Houston outshot WKU 16-11 in the match but WKU managed nine corners compared to just three for the Bearkats.
- The all-time series mark between the Tops and Bearkats is now 2-1.
- WKU has now won both matches in Huntsville by a final score of 1-0.
QUOTABLE
On the win and performance over the weekend Head coach Jason Neidell said " What a great weekend for our team! This is one of the toughest road trips in all of college soccer. To find a way to get two wins is simply inspiring. Our game-winning goal with 10 seconds left was freshman to freshman to freshman - simply incredible to see freshmen stepping up in big moments. We will enjoy this win and get back to work to keep growing in the game. So proud of this team."
NEXT UP
WKU will wrap up the three match road swing next Sunday, October 12 at Missouri State. Kick-off from Springfield is set for 1 p.m. CT.
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.
