Roth Scores in Final Minutes as WKU Shuts Out UIC

Sunday, September 6

Chicago, Ill.

1 PM CT

Western Kentucky University

5-0-2, 0-0-0

UIC

0-5-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Western Ky.	0	1	1
UIC	0	0	0

9/6/2026 4:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Hilltoppers (5-0-2) defeated UIC (0-5-2), 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Flames Field in Chicago, Ill. Tyler Roth scored the game-winning goal in the final minutes to secure the win for WKU.

HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU and UIC battled through a scoreless opening 45 minutes, with both sides creating opportunities in a physical first half. The Flames recorded five shots, including four on goal, but goalkeeper Mia Riddick turned away each attempt to keep the match level. Makenna Egan led the Hilltoppers with two shots in the opening half but was unable to find the back of the net.

The Hilltoppers came out of the break applying increased offensive pressure, firing off 10 shots in the second half. WKU nearly broke through in the 60th minute after UIC was issued a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, but the Hilltoppers' free kick was saved by the goalkeeper. WKU continued to pressure the Flames, forcing several saves before freshman Tyler Roth delivered the breakthrough in the 87th minute, firing a shot into the upper right corner off an assist from Georgia Liapis to give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead. The Hilltopper defense remained dominant to hold off the Flames in the final minutes to secure the shutout victory.

QUOTABLE
"I'm really proud of our team," said Head Coach Jason Neidell. "It was a long weekend on the road and took a really gutsy second half from us. It's going to be hard for Tyler Roth to beat the timeliness and strike for her first career goal! We continue to have players put their bodies on the line to keep the ball out of our own net too, and another critically important performance from goalkeeper Mia Riddick. We will enjoy this win on the long trek back to Bowling Green!"

NOTABLES

WKU's 5-0-2 record marks the first time since 2008 that the Hilltoppers have gone unbeaten through their first seven games
Freshman Tyler Roth recorded her first career goal
Georgia Liapis' assist was her fourth of the season and the ninth of her career
The Hilltoppers outshot the Flames 16-10 in the match
Makenna Egan led the Hilltoppers with four shots
Goalkeeper Mia Riddick recorded her fifth shutout of the season
Abby Wiedermann and Kora Kipley anchored the defense, playing all 90 minutes
The Hilltoppers move to 1-0-0 against UIC all-time