HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite FIU controlling the first few minutes offensively, the Hilltopper defense managed to limit the Panthers to just one shot in the opening minutes. In the sixth minute, WKU flipped the script securing two corner kicks back-to-back. Midfielder Mya Jackson recorded a shot on the first corner, but it was blocked by a FIU defender. Moments later, Alaina Nugier came up with a key defensive stop, blocking a Panther shot and winning the 1v1 battle. Makenna Egan would go on to force a foul in the 12th minute, resulting in a penalty kick. From the spot right in the middle of the box, Egan fired the ball on a line past the diving goalkeeper to put the Tops on the board first. However, nearly three minutes later, the Panthers responded with a penalty kick of their own to even the score at 1-1. The Tops appeared to take the lead in the 23rd minute as Tyler Roth and Danielle Lewin connected with Egan, but the goal was called back for offsides. FIU managed to record two corner kicks in the 27th and 28th minutes of play, but a save by goalkeeper Mia Riddick and strong coverage from the WKU defense prevented the Panthers from taking the lead. The Hilltopper defense continued to shine as Riddick came up with the diving save before April McDonald blocked the follow-up shot to keep the score even to close out the half.
As both teams continued to search for the lead, FIU recorded the first shot of the second half off a cross but was sent away by a block from Abby Wiedermann. WKU would go on to record four more corner kicks in the closing half but could not convert. Freshman defender Raegan Thompson made a key defensive stop against a FIU 1v1 attack, forcing a weak shot that was saved by Riddick. WKU continued to hold off FIU's attack late in the second half, with Riddick saving a free kick in the 64th minute before the Tops looked for a go-ahead goal of their own. Rose Finnegan missed over the crossbar in the 79th minute, followed by a shot from Amanda Simpson in the 81st, but neither team found the back of the net as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
QUOTABLE
"We came out flat today and got outplayed by a hungry FIU squad," said Head Coach Jason Neidell. "We will take a point on the road and regroup and be ready for our home stand this week."
NOTABLES
- The Hilltoppers' six ties this season rank second-most in a single season in program history
- Makenna Egan scored her seventh goal of the season and the 12th of her career
- WKU earned and converted its first penalty kick of the season
- Goalkeeper Mia Riddick recorded four saves, bringing her season total to 44
- Defender Abby Wiedermann played all 90 minutes in the field
- Midfielder Rose Finnegan recorded two shots for the Hilltoppers
- The Hilltoppers move to 14-5-6 all-time against FIU
The Hilltoppers return to the WKU Soccer Complex for their next CUSA matchup against Jax State on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. CT. Admission to all WKU soccer games at the WKU Soccer Complex is free.
