GAME INFO
- WKU (1-0-2) vs. Ball State (1-0-1)
- Sunday, Aug. 23 | 1 p.m. (CT) | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Soccer Complex
- No Streaming
- Live stats
- The Hilltoppers' match against UAB on Thursday evening resulted in a 1-1 draw. April McDonald put WKU on the scoreboard first with a header that bounced over the keeper's head and into the upper-right corner of the net. The goal was assisted by Georgia Liapis, who capitalized on a corner kick opportunity in the 15th minute. The goal marked McDonald's first of the season, while the assist was also Liapis' first of the season. Goalkeeper Mia Riddick recorded a season-high seven saves in the match.
- 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. 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 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.
- Thursday's match will be the third meeting of WKU and Ball State all time.
- WKU has a 1-1 record against the Cardinals.
- The two teams have not matched up since 2011 which resulted in a 3-1 Hilltopper win at the WKU Soccer Complex.
- Ball State is 1-0-1 on the season with a 2-0 win over IU Indy and a 1-1 draw against Butler. Mary Jane Keller, Anna Kate Robillard, and Kaelyn Valleau have each collected a goal this season.
- The Cardinals return Lexi Watkins, Jordyn Klassen, and Izzy Rozz, all of whom appeared in all 20 games during the 2025 season.
- Ball State finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 10-7-3, including a 7-4-1 finish in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.
