Despite being “out-played” Friday night against Louisiana-Monroe, as Head Coach Jason Neidell put it, the Lady Toppers found a way to earn 1-0 road win. 

WKU is now 9-5-1 on the season and 4-2-1 in Sun Belt play.

The lone goal for the Lady Toppers (9-5-1, 4-2-1 Sun Belt Conference) of the match came in the opening minutes of the game. Senior forward Amanda Buechel was able to score her first goal since 2008, which proved to be the difference.

Buechel was able to get behind the defense and goalkeeper and finish off a pass from senior forward Mallory Outerbridge in the eighth minute of the game.

“A few days ago she told me she hadn’t scored yet this season and that she was just waiting for the right opportunity,” Neidell said. “Today she got the game winner and she was really excited about it.”

Despite the result, Neidell was disappointed with the way his team played. He said it was good to get the early goal, but Louisiana-Monroe battled the whole game and gave WKU all they wanted.

With the win, WKU moved to 6-0 all-time against the Warhawks.

“I give credit to ULM,” Neidell said. “They came into the game in last place (in the Sun Belt). Their backs were against the wall and they battled 90 minutes. We were flat and were very fortunate to come away with a W today.”

ULM came into the game winless in the Sun Belt and were able to hold WKU only seven shots for the game. However, the Lady Topper defense only allowed the Warhawks five on the night.

Neidell added that the team was sloppy in practice leading up to the weekend and it showed in the game.

“It was one of those games we just couldn’t put it together,” Neidell said. “Things just didn’t go well, but we found a way to win. Today we won ugly and we’ll take it.”

The win is WKU’s third consecutive shutout victory and is riding a five-match winning streak.

With only one day off before their next game, Neidell said there really isn’t much to stress heading into Sunday’s game because the team knows they’re better than what they showed Friday night.

“They (the team) were happy they won, but disappointed in the way they played,” he said. “The girls knew they didn’t play well. We just need to be sharper and faster on Sunday.”

WKU will play again at 1 p.m. Sunday against University of Louisiana-Lafayette.