HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU and Lipscomb traded possession early, with both teams creating chances in the opening minutes. The Hilltoppers registered the first shot on goal in the third minute, as Georgia Liapis forced a save from the Lipscomb goalkeeper. Shortly after, Danielle Lewin made a hard run down the field and lifted the ball into the air for Maggie Bellair, who headed it past the jumping goalkeeper to put the Hilltoppers on the board first. In the 45th minute, the Bison nearly evened the score, but a diving save to her right from goalkeeper Mia Riddick kept the Tops in front heading into halftime.
The Hilltoppers remained aggressive defensively in the second half, limiting the Bison to just two shots, but could not find much offensively. In the 82nd minute, Lipscomb found the equalizer to even the score at 1-1. The Hilltoppers held on through the final whistle to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games to open the season but could not find the go-ahead goal.
QUOTABLE
"With a 1-0 halftime lead, we came out in the second and played really well," said Head Coach Jason Neidell. "Unfortunately, we were not clinical enough in the attacking third. Lipscomb is a good team, and we let them hang around. They dictated the flow of the game and challenged us with their service in the box. We will learn from this result and grow as a team."
NOTABLES
- WKU's 5-0-3 record marks the first time since 2008 that the Hilltoppers have gone unbeaten through their first eight games
- Maggie Bellair recorded her second goal of the season and of her career
- Danielle Lewin's assist was her first of the season and the fourth of her career
- The Hilltopper defense limited the Bisons to just two shots on goal in the match
- Five Hilltoppers played all 90 minutes of the match: Makenna Egan, Abby Wiedermann, Mia Riddick, Georgia Liapis and Kora Kipley.
- WKU moves to 6-0-2 against Lipscomb all time
The Hilltoppers return home to take on SEMO Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. CT at the WKU Soccer Complex. Admission to all WKU Soccer games at WKU Soccer Complex is free.
