GAME INFO
- WKU (13-1-6) vs. Liberty (15-2-3)
- Friday, Nov. 13 | 11 a.m. CT | Newark, Del. | Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
ABOUT THE TOPS
- WKU advances to its fourth championship appearance in program history and its first-ever CUSA Championship final.
- The Hilltoppers faced the No. 3 seeded Delaware Tuesday evening in the CUSA Semifinals, earning a 2-1 victory behind a two-goal performance from Makenna Egan. The Blue Hens struck first, but WKU responded when Alaina Nugier sent a free kick into the box, where Georgia Liapis headed the ball to Egan, who finished with a shot to equalize. With 10 minutes remaining, Mya Jackson delivered a cross to Egan in front of the goal, where she fired a shot into the net to give the Hilltoppers the lead and secure the victory.
- No. 2 WKU defeated No. 7 Kennesaw State, 1-0, in the CUSA Quarterfinals Sunday. The Tops controlled possession throughout the match, outshooting Kennesaw State and holding the Owls to only one shot in the match. After several scoring opportunities, Mya Jackson capitalized on a rebound from Danielle Lewin in the 78th minute to give the Tops a 1-0 lead.
- WKU finished the regular season with just one loss, tying a program record for the third time in program history.
- The Tops went undefeated at home for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2020.
- Nine Hilltoppers earned spots on the CUSA All-Conference teams, marking the most in WKU program history since the Hilltoppers joined CUSA in 2014. Sophomore forward Makenna Egan and junior defender Abby Wiedermann earned first-team honors, while graduate forward Danielle Lewin and goalkeeper Mia Riddick were named to the second team. Midfielders Georgia Liapis and Alyvia Walls and defender Maggie Bellair earned third-team honors. Midfielder Tyler Roth and defender Raegan Thompson rounded out the selections on the All-Freshman team.
- The Hilltoppers rank among the nation's best defensively, sitting 10th in goals-against average (.550), 30th in save percentage (.836), and 30th in shutout percentage (.50). WKU has limited opponents to 7.8 shots and 0.55 goals per game.
- WKU has outscored its opponents 34-11 this season while averaging 14.1 shots per game.
- Between the posts, Mia Riddick has recorded 45 saves while allowing just seven goals in 18 appearances. Riddick leads CUSA in goals-against average (.42), save percentage (.877), and fewest goals allowed (7). Nationally, she ranks 10th in save percentage and seventh in goals-against average. With eight shutouts, Riddick is tied for fifth in WKU single-season program history. She has also earned CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week honors three times this season.
- Sophomore forward Makenna Egan leads WKU with 10 goals, including three braces. She ranks first in CUSA in goals and fourth in WKU program history. Her five game-winning goals rank second in CUSA, 13th nationally, and second in program history. Egan also ranks 10th nationally in shot accuracy (.638).
- Danielle Lewin leads CUSA with eight assists, including two against Jax State. She recorded the first brace of her WKU career against Jax State and has three goals this season. Lewin is now tied for third in WKU program history for single season assists.
- Mya Jackson has recorded three goals and three assists for nine points this season. She has tallied a point in each of WKU's last four games.
- Georgia Liapis has recorded two goals and five assists, ranking her second in CUSA in assists.
- Defender Kora Kipley has been a key part of the Hilltoppers' defensive success, leading the team with 1,464 minutes played and recording seven full 90-minute appearances.
SERIES HISTORY
- WKU holds a 1-1-1 record against Liberty.
- This will be the fourth meeting between the teams all-time and the second this season.
- WKU's only loss of the season came against Liberty, falling 1-0 after an own goal. Mia Riddick recorded a career-high seven saves in the match.
ABOUT THE FLAMES
- Liberty owns a 7-0-1 record in CUSA play, earning the No. 1 seed in the CUSA Tournament and the CUSA Regular Season Championship title.
- The Flames had 12 players earn All-CUSA honors, headlined by Player of the Year Halle Engle, Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Littleton, Goalkeeper of the Year Ainsley Leja and Coach of the Year Lang Wedemeyer.
- Liberty defeated No. 5 New Mexico State in the CUSA Semifinals, 1-1 (4-3 PKs). Avery Paulson put the Flames on the board first in the 13th minute off an assist from Haley Nobilt. The Aggies later equalized on a Marlee Cavitt penalty kick. After two scoreless overtime periods, the match went to a penalty shootout, where Halle Engle converted the deciding kick to send Liberty to the CUSA Championship.
- The Flames have outscored their opponents 31-12 this season, averaging 1.55 goals per game.
- Offensively, senior forward Halle Engle, the CUSA Player of the Year, leads Liberty with eight goals and three assists for 19 points. Junior forward Margaret Garner adds four goals and two assists.
- Midfielders Avenly Monteith and Audrey Heustis have each tallied four assists.
- Between the posts, Ainsley Leja owns a 13-1-3 record. The CUSA Goalkeeper of the Year has recorded 50 saves while allowing nine goals.
- Junior defender Madyson Kerley has played a team-high 1,797 minutes this season, starting all 20 games for the Flames and playing the full 90 minutes 16 times this season.
