Coming off two straight victories, the Lady Topper (3-2) soccer team will look to ride its recent momentum into a tough weekend. 

WKU will look to secure its first victory against a Power 5 conference opponent since 2008 when the team faces Vanderbilt on Friday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. at the WKU Soccer Complex.

The Commodores (4-4) are coming off two losses to the University of Indiana and the University of Rhode Island in the Music City Invitational tournament this past weekend.

Vanderbilt will be looking for victory this weekend as it finishes off its non-conference schedule against the Lady Toppers and Lipscomb on Sunday, Sept. 10. WKU will be looking to do the same.

Forward Simone Charley, returning as a grad student after redshirting last season, leads the Commodores in goals early in the season with two. Charley was first team All-SEC in 2014, and second team in 2015.

The Lady Toppers have been finding their rhythm over the past two matches, with victories in both. The Lady Toppers have, for the most part, been able to create looks for themselves this season, but have had some trouble translating those into goals as much as the team wouldhope.

If Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Evansville is any evidence of things beginning to come together, WKU could be able to secure a win over a big time opponent Friday night. The first 100 fans to arrive will receive a free WKU soccer scarf.

Sunday afternoon, WKU will finish its non-conference slate to begin the season against Samford (1-4), who has struggled so far this season, but is traditionally strong program.

Finishing with (14-8), (14-5-1) and (15-4-2) records respectively over the past three seasons is a testament to Samford’s quality as an opponent. Senior forward, Jermaine Seoposenwe, leads the team with four goals on the season.

For WKU, sophomore Chandler Backes has four goals already this season. Backes sits just one goal back of Morgan Thomas for 10th all time in career goal scored at WKU. Pacing the scoring for the Lady Toppers so far this season, Backes has been a force.

Freshman Ashley Leonard isn’t doing too badly herself, with two goals for the Lady Toppers in only 39 minutes this season. Providing a spark for the Lady Toppers off the bench so far this season, including a game winner against UT-Martin, Leonard will be looking to improve upon her quick start to the season this weekend.

Goalkeeper Allison Leone will be looking to secure her third solo shutout of the season this weekend as well. Leone, a senior, has had an illustrious career so far at WKU and will look to improve upon her place in the program’s record books. 

Reporter Casey McCarthy can be reached at (270)-929-7795, or by email at [email protected].