GAME INFO
- WKU (2-0-2) vs. Union (0-0-0)
- Thursday, Aug. 27 | 7 p.m. (CT) | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Soccer Complex
- No Streaming
- Live stats
- April McDonald earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors after a strong two-match stretch. As a defensive midfielder, McDonald anchored the Hilltoppers' defense, helping WKU secure its third shutout of the season while limiting Ball State to just five shots in the match. Offensively, McDonald scored two of the Hilltoppers' three goals last week, with both coming on headers off corner kicks.
- WKU Soccer came out firing, taking down Ball State 2-0 on Sunday afternoon. Just three minutes into the match, April McDonald got the Hilltoppers on the board with a header off a corner kick from Georgia Liapis. Maggie Bellair added to the lead early in the second half, finishing off a strong drive down the field with an assist from Cena Carlson to help seal the shutout victory.
- 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 during the opening week of the season. 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 Aug. 16. 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.
- 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 sixth meeting of WKU and Union all time all coming since 2021.
- WKU has a 5-0 record against the Bulldogs.
- All five matches have occurred at the WKU Soccer Complex.
- This will be Union's first match of the 2026 season.
- Senior Forward Rebekah Jackson was named to the 2026 Gulf South Conference preseason team.
- The Bulldogs finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 4-7-4, including a 3-7-2 finish in Gulf South Conference (GSC) 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.
