GAME INFO
- WKU (11-1-6) vs. Kennesaw State (5-9-4)
- Sunday, Nov. 8 | 10 a.m. CT | Newark, Del. | Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
ABOUT THE TOPS
- The Tops hold a 5-1-2 record in CUSA play, with wins over MTSU, Sam Houston, Missouri State, Jax State and New Mexico State, along with draws against Delaware and FIU. WKU earned the No. 2 seed in the CUSA Championship.
- WKU finished the regular season with just one loss, tying a program record for the third time in program history.
- The Hilltoppers 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, the league announced Friday, 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.
- Cena Carlson is the reigning CUSA Offensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high four points against MTSU. Carlson scored twice for her first brace of the season, finishing with seven shots, including five on goal.
- Most recently, WKU earned a 3-1 victory over MTSU last Sunday. Cena Carlson opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a diving header off a pass from Mya Jackson following a short corner kick. Carlson added her second goal in the 56th minute, while Jackson scored in the 68th minute to secure the victory. Goalkeepers Mia Riddick and Emma Teague combined for three saves.
- The Hilltoppers rank among the nation's best defensively, sitting 11th in goals-against average (.556), 24th in save percentage (.844) and 24th in shutout percentage (.500). WKU has limited opponents to 8.2 shots and 0.56 goals per game.
- WKU has outscored its opponents 31-10 this season while averaging 13.5 shots per game.
- Between the posts, Mia Riddick has recorded 48 saves while allowing just six goals in 17 appearances. Riddick leads CUSA in goals-against average (.41), save percentage (.889) and fewest goals allowed (6). Nationally, she ranks fifth in save percentage and sixth in goals-against average. With seven shutouts, Riddick is tied for eighth 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 eight goals, including two braces against SEMO and Sam Houston. She ranks second in CUSA in goals and 10th in WKU program history. Her four game-winning goals rank second in CUSA, 28th nationally, and fourth in program history. Egan also ranks 11th nationally in shot accuracy (.628).
- Danielle Lewin leads CUSA with seven assists, including two against Jax State. She recorded the first brace of her WKU career against Jax State and has three goals this season.
- Georgia Liapis has recorded two goals and four assists, tying for second in CUSA in assists.
- Alyvia Walls has scored four goals this season, all coming in her last six matches. Three of her goals have been game-winners, all coming in CUSA play.
- Seven other Hilltoppers have scored this season: Cena Carlson (4), April McDonald (3), Maggie Bellair (2), Mya Jackson (2), Rylee Finol (1), Tyler Roth (1) and Sophia Lezizdis (1).
- Defender Kora Kipley has been a key part of the Hilltoppers' defensive success, leading the team with 1,347 minutes played and recording six full 90-minute appearances.
- WKU finished non-conference play undefeated for just the second time in program history.
SERIES HISTORY
- WKU holds a 1-0-1 record against Kennesaw State.
- This will be the third meeting between the teams all-time.
- Both matches have been played at the WKU Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, Ky.
- The teams last met in 2025 in Bowling Green, resulting in a 2-1 WKU win. The Hilltoppers' goals came from Georgia Liapis and an Owls own goal.
ABOUT THE OWLS
- The Owls hold a 5-9-4 overall record, including a 2-5-1 mark in CUSA play. Their two conference wins came against Sam Houston and New Mexico State.
- Kennesaw State has been outscored 30-21 by its opponents this season.
- Senior Anabel Orozco was named CUSA Offensive Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year, the league announced Friday. She leads the Owls offensively with a CUSA-high nine goals, 54 shots, and 30 shots on goal.
- Midfielder/forward Aaliyah McDiarmid and defender Sian Keller were named to the CUSA All-Freshman team. McDiarmid has tallied two goals and an assist this season while starting the last 12 matches for a total of 1,124 minutes. Keller has recorded an assist as a defender and played 1,345 minutes this season.
- Most recently, Kennesaw State tied with FIU, 2-2. Goalkeeper Aryana Rosenblum made her first start in two years, recording four saves in the opening 15 minutes. Anabel Orozco got the Owls on the board first with a penalty kick before FIU equalized to close out the half. McDiarmid found the back of the net in the 75th minute for her second goal of the season. FIU took advantage of an Owls' red card and scored in the final minutes to even the score.
- Forward Ava Bradford also contributes offensively, recording four goals and three assists this season.
- Charlee Bernal has recorded 71 saves between the posts while allowing 28 goals in 17 matches. Bernal holds a 5-9-3 record this season.
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.
