Lady Toppers look to stay perfect, welcome Ole Miss on Sunday

Brittany Fisher

Western Kentucky University Lady Toppers celebrate after Brina Micheels scores the winning goal on a penalty kick against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Thursday Aug. 26, 2021. The Lady Toppers defeated Vanderbilt 3-2.

Drew Toennies, Soccer reporter

The Lady Toppers (5-0-0) will host the Ole Miss Rebels (3-1-2) at the WKU Soccer Complex Sunday afternoon as WKU looks for its 11th-consecutive home victory.

“Your Lady Toppers are 5-0, best start in school history,” WKU Soccer head coach Jason Neidell said following his squad’s 1-0 shutout of Belmont on Thursday night. “We’re excited, hope our fans are excited to come out and support us on Sunday.”

WKU graduate defender Avery Jacobsen landed the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute of the match, handing the Bruins their first home loss of the season. Jacobsen has six points so far this season off of two goals and two assists.

WKU sophomore midfielder Brina Micheels assisted Jacobsen with the goal and has been vital to WKU’s recent success, contributing five points from two goals and one assist.

The Ole Miss Rebels started off their season with a 1-1 draw against Memphis after their match with ETSU was canceled. The Rebels won their next three matches, edging Middle Tennessee 4-2, Arkansas State 2-1 and South Alabama 4-2. The Rebels tied with the Samford Bulldogs 1-1 in double overtime on Sunday, Sept. 5 before suffering a 3-0 loss to No. 17 UCF.

Senior forward/midfielder Channing Foster has been one of the Rebel’s strongest players this year, tallying nine points this season off of four goals and one assist.

Senior midfielder Hayleigh Stackpole has nine points to her name as well, offering a helping hand on seven goals and kicking in one of her own.

The Lady Toppers will take the field against the Rebels on Sunday, Sept. 12 with opening kickoff set for 1 p.m. CT.

Soccer reporter Drew Toennies can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @drew_toennies.