GAME INFO
- WKU (1-0-1) vs. UAB (1-1-0)
- Thursday, Aug. 20 | 7 p.m. (CT) | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Soccer Complex
- Watch: ESPN+
- Live stats
ABOUT THE TOPS
- Mia Riddick and Makenna Egan were both named Conference USA Players of the Week on Monday. Riddick earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors after recording two clean sheets and making eight saves. Including the two exhibition matches, Riddick has yet to give up a goal this season in the run of play. Egan scored the game-winning goal against Indiana State on Sunday, earning Offensive Player of the Week honors. The goal marked the sixth of her career and her second time receiving the award.
- The Hilltoppers defeated Indiana State 1-0 on the road on Sunday. After a scoreless first half, Maggie Bellair found Makenna Egan who kicked the game winning shot in the 54th minute. Goalkeeper Mia Riddick collected her second career shutout with two saves.
- WKU opened the season last Thursday with a 0-0 tie against Missouri at home. Mia Riddick led the Hilltoppers with a 6-save performance in goal and earned her first career shutout.
- During exhibition play, the Hilltoppers went 1-0-1 matching up against Samford and Murray State. WKU tied Samford 1-1 and defeated the Racers 4-1. In the draw, Samford got on the board first, but WKU quickly equalized with a penalty kick from Rose Finnegan. Four different Hilltoppers scored in the exhibition win against the Racers. Danielle Lewin opened the scoring with a shot into the upper right corner of the goal. April McDonald scored the game-winning goal in the 48th minute off a corner kick from Georgia Liapis. Sophia Lezizidis added an insurance goal in the 68th minute, followed by Rose Finnegan in the 72nd. Kora Kipley recorded two assists, while Maggie Bellair assisted on Lezizidis' goal.
- WKU finished last season with a 9-5-3 overall record and an unbeaten 6-0-2 record in Conference USA play, earning the CUSA regular season championship.
- The Hilltoppers return 17 players from the 2025 season, including 2025 CUSA Midfielder of the Year Georgia Liapis, 2025 CUSA Freshman of the Year Makenna Egan and 2025 All-CUSA first teamer Abby Wiedermann. Liapis scored the third most goals in CUSA last season, scoring a total of nine on the year. Egan scored five goals last season, the second most on the team.
- The WKU defense held opponents to 0.86 goals per game last season, the second-best mark in the league.
- The Hilltoppers are led by Jason Neidell in his 26th season on The Hill as the only head coach in WKU women's soccer history. Neidell earned CUSA Coach of the Year honors last season.
SERIES HISTORY
- Thursday's match will be the 12th meeting of WKU and UAB all time.
- WKU has a 5-5-1 record against the Blazers.
- The Hilltoppers are 3-1 when playing UAB at the WKU Soccer Complex.
ABOUT THE BLAZERS
- UAB is 1-1-0 on the season with a 2-1 loss against Mississippi State and 4-2 win against Georgia State. Avery Berryman, Morgan Goehring, Emily Cole, and Lailah Stewart have each found the back of the net this season.
- Senior forward Avery Berryman was named Honorable Mention for the American Conference Player of the Week after scoring two goals and collecting one assist in UAB's opening games.
- The Blazers finished the 2025 season with a 7-6-6 record, including a 4-3-3 record in American Conference play.
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.
