BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Soccer wrapped up a fruitful spring season that featured five matches, a 7v7 tournament and the annual team banquet held in February.
WKU kicked off the spring by celebrating the 2024 season at the team banquet on February 28 in the Harbaugh Club at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Several individuals were recognized including team superlative winners and other award honorees.
Seven team superlative awards were handed out. The team's Most Valuable Player was given to Maddie Davis, who was also Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Davis was named the Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024 and named to the All-CUSA First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Region Third Team. She tied for the best goals against average and most shutouts during conference play, allowing just .667 goals per game while notching five clean sheets.
Kendall Wade was also named Co-Defensive Player of the Year. On the flip side, Kayla Meyer earned Offensive Player of the Year. Abby Wiedermann was named the Most Improved Player, Brooke Sleeva was given the Coach's Award and Aspen Seaich earned the Alumni Spirit Award. The annual Leadership Award was renamed the Lee Robertson Leadership Award to honor Robertson, also known as Mr. Western, who passed away in 2024. The Robertson family joined the Hilltoppers at the banquet as special guests. Lily Rummo was the recipient of the Lee Robertson Leadership Award this season for her outstanding leadership both on the field and off.
"Despite a heartbreaking 2024 season, we were grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our team and seniors with family and loved ones," said head coach Jason Neidell. "We paused to celebrate the 2024 team and put a final wrap on the season. There was a definite spirit of renewal in the room and a sense of purpose for unfinished business. We also renamed our leadership award for one of the greatest Hilltoppers of all time, Lee Robertson, better known as Mr. Western. Paying tribute to Lee is one of my humble honors as a WKU coach, and I hope that connecting our current team with past greatness will continue to enhance Hilltopper pride within the culture of our team."
The first event of the spring season was the annual WKU 7v7 tournament held at Houchens-Smith Stadium. The field was made up of seven total teams that included Brescia, two teams from Kentucky Wesleyan, Eastern Kentucky, Lindsey Wilson and two teams from WKU. WKU took home the championship, defeating EKU in the final. The two WKU teams combined for an 8-2 record with one of those losses coming to the other WKU team. The Hilltoppers combined to score 20 goals while giving up just 10 during the tournament. Georgia Liapis led the team with four goals scored and one assist while Emrie Springs added three goals and two assists.
The team played in five full matches in the spring, competing against WKU alumni, Evansville, Trevecca, Brescia and the University of the Cumberlands. The Hilltoppers defeated the alumni squad (6-0), Evansville (1-0), Trevecca (1-0) and Brescia (5-0) and dropped a 1-0 decision to the Cumberlands. The squad was limited in the spring with as few as 10 field players available at times. The team scored 13 goals, which was a significant increase from the fall season, meeting the team's goal for the spring. Springs led the way with five goals while Camryn Davis added three. Rebecca Roth added two and Amanda Simpson, Alyvia Walls and Liapis each had one.
"The spring season has been incredibly productive," said Neidell. "We saw tremendous individual player growth and positive changes in just about every aspect of our program. We also needed to get back on the field and learn how to win soccer games again. We accomplished everything we set out to do, while also transitioning to a new staff with a fresh set of eyes. Our players have a renewed confidence and spirit about them moving forward for the 2025 campaign."
WKU Soccer will now look to the 2025 fall season. The full 2025 schedule will be announced at a later date.
How to 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.
Western Kentucky University Athletics
- Champions Climb Here
- WKU Athletics
- Athletic Director
- Academic Services
- Annual Report
- Athletic Communications
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Athletic Training
- Big Red
- CLIMB Program - NIL
- Compliance
- Facilities
- Financial Reports
- For Students
- Student Employment
- Forms/Requests
- Book Big Red
- Donation Requests
- Site Feedback
- For Fans
- Hilltopper Highlights
- Gameday Promotions
- Alumni Tailgates
- Big Red's Rascals
- Basketball Gameday
- Football Gameday
- Mobile Tickets
- Travel Center
- Tickets
- Give
