BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Soccer has wrapped up the spring portion of the 2026 season.
WKU entered the spring schedule off the heels of one of the most successful seasons in the history of the program in 2025. After finishing the non-conference slate 3-4-1, the Hilltoppers posted an unblemished 6-0-2 mark in Conference USA play, marking the best win percentage in league play in the history of the program.
The Hilltoppers finished up 4-0 on the road in conference play, marking the first in the history of the program and were the only team in 2025 that finished with an undefeated road record.
WKU finished the regular season atop the standings and were crowned 2025 CUSA Regular Season Champions, marking the fourth conference title in the decorated 25 year history of the program.
A team that was tabbed to finish ninth in the preseason poll had finished the year at the top of the league standings, which earned head coach Jason Neidell the distinction of CUSA Coach of the Year. For Neidell, it marked the fourth time in his 25-year tenure that he was named the top coach in the league.
The offensive attack was spearheaded by junior midfielder Georgia Liapis, who had an incredible 2025 campaign. At the regular season's end, Liapis had scored nine goals, assisted in two, and had 20 points. Her nine goals are the seventh most in a single season in program history and the most since 2019. The junior led CUSA in goals per game, averaging one every two matches, was second in total goals, and third in points.Â
Liapis was twice named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week this season (Sept. 23, Oct. 27) and also was named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week on Oct. 15. Liapis scored three straight goals against Rio Grande for her first career hat-trick and the first for WKU since 2018. The junior from Plainfield, Ill. scored the game-winning goal twice.
Makenna Egan came to The Hill from Palm Harbor, Fla. and made an immediate impact for WKU and across the league. Egan finished second on the team in goals scored (five), second in shots (28), first in assists (four), and third in minutes (1,199) and first among freshmen in all categories. She was tied first among freshmen in CUSA in goals scored and third in CUSA in league play goals (three) and scored the game-winning goal in two matches.Â
A member of the 2024 CUSA All-Freshman Team, Abby Wiedermann played a crucial role on a defensive front that boasted the lowest goals allowed average in CUSA (0.813). She led the team in minutes (1,327) and logged every minute in CUSA play. In the home opener against Jackson State, Wiedermann scored the game-winning goal and was a key part of a defensive unit with four shutouts in CUSA play. Wiedermann was also a two-time CUSA Defender of the Week (Aug. 27, Oct. 7).
In goal, Maddie Davis led WKU to the lowest goals against average in CUSA (0.800). She held the best save percentage in CUSA (0.831), was third in saves per game (3.77), and third in shutouts (five). Davis started in every conference match, earning six wins with no losses in the process. Davis had four shutouts in league play, and three of the four were on the road. One of those being WKU's 1-0 win over Sam Houston, where she managed six saves. Davis was named Conference USA's Goalkeeper of the Week on Oct. 7. She was also named Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week Honorable Mention on Oct. 7.
WKU scored the game-winning or game-tying goal late in matches on four occasions with all coming in CUSA play. Egan struck the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute at Louisiana Tech. The Hilltoppers scored the game-winning goal in the final seconds at Sam Houston. Alyvia Walls notched the go-ahead goal in WKU's 4-3 win at Missouri State. The Hilltoppers scored twice in the final 15 minutes of that match. Then, at home against UTEP, Walls scored in the final 11 seconds to even the score, ultimately ending in a 1-1 draw.
When conference superlatives were announced, several Hilltoppers were honored. Georgia Liapis earned CUSA Midfielder of the Year and All-CUSA First Team. She is the first Hilltopper to earn Midfielder of the Year since Ambere Barnett did so in 2020 and just the second in program history. Makenna Egan was named Freshman of the Year, marking the first in program history and earned All-CUSA Second Team in addition to the All-Freshman Team. Maddie Davis and Abby Wiedermann were both named All-CUSA, with Wiedermann earning First-Team and Davis Second-Team. In total, WKU was given eight superlatives, marking the most since joining CUSA and the most since the 2013 season.
The 25th season of WKU Hilltopper Soccer proved to be an historic one, providing momentum as the team transitioned into the 2026 calendar year.
The Hilltoppers finished the spring with a 3-1-2 record and had eight goals as a team with eight different scorers. Liapis led the team with one goal and four assists.
On the spring season, head coach Jason Neidell said, "Our spring segment has been great. We competed against high level competition including two NCAA tournament teams and the NAIA national runner-up. We grew tremendously in so many areas as individuals and as a team. Our players feel confident in our team identity, and we are ready to put the work in this summer to prepare for the fall championship segment. This will be an exciting team to watch and embrace this upcoming season."
WKU kicked off the spring at the WKU Soccer Complex against 2025 NCAA Tournament participant Samford on Saturday, March 31. The Hilltoppers fell in the exhibition, 3-1. Grambling State transfer Sophia Lezizidis scored WKU's goal in the matchup and was assisted by newcomer Tyler Roth and Georgia Liapis.
WKU then welcomed Lipscomb on Wednesday, April 1 and ended in a 0-0 draw in their second exhibition match. The Bisons also played in the 2025 edition of the NCAA Tournament.
The Hilltoppers then traveled to Richmond for a Saturday matchup with Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, April 11. WKU earned their first win of the spring schedule with a 2-1 win over the Colonels. Both of the Hilltoppers goals came via penalty kicks. Amanda Simpson and Rylee Finol both recorded their first goals of the spring in the win.
WKU then hosted the 2026 Border Battle at South Warren High School and had a field that included Middle Tennessee, Union (TN), Cumberland (TN), University of the Cumberlands (KY), Centre College, and Kentucky Wesleyan.
In their first match, WKU managed a 3-0 win over Centre College. Liapis connected with Danielle Lewin for the first goal. Ariyana Traylor had the second goal with Liapis picking up her second assist of the day. Rebecca Roth scored the third goal, unassisted. WKU then faced Cumberland (Tennessee) and resulted in a 1-1 draw as the Hilltoppers fell in penalty kicks. Liapis managed her first goal of the spring in the matchup and was assisted by Makenna Egan.
The Hilltoppers then played Union and defeated the Bulldogs 1-0. Alyvia Walls became the eighth Hilltopper to score a goal in the spring, and Liapis notched her fourth assist of the spring in the effort, ultimately finishing the spring with a 3-1-2 mark.
How to follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Soccer, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program on social media @WKU_Soccer on X and Instagram and @WKUSoccer on Facebook.
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