WKU makes early C-USA tournament exit after 5-1 loss to North Texas

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile

Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers fifth year senior Alexis Bach (18) holds the ball during a match against the University of Kentucky Wildcats at the WKU Soccer Complex on Wednesday evening, Sept. 1. The Hilltoppers won the match 1-0.

Izzy Lanuza, Sports reporter

WKU Soccer’s (7-9-3, 4-5-1) season came to an end after the squad fell to North Texas (12-5-2, 7-2-1) 5-1 in the first round of the Conference USA tournament Wednesday morning in Charlotte, North Carolina.

North Texas got off to a hot start, scoring three goals in the first half of the match. North Texas senior Jenna Sheely was a problem for WKU, providing the Mean Green with two goals and an assist.

WKU sophomore Kayla Meyer scored the sole goal for the Hilltoppers. Meyers’ goal was assisted by redshirt senior Lucy Lyon and fifth-year Lyric Schimdt in the 53rd minute of the match.

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Senior Madison Drenowatz scored the Mean Green’s fourth goal of the game just two minutes into the second half. UNT’s fifth goal of the game came from freshman Summer Brown.

The Lady Toppers finished the game with a total of 13 shots, seven of which were on goal and one finding the back of the net. The Mean Green also took 13 shots, seven on goal, for an absurd shooting percentage of 71%.

Meyer finishes the year as the Hilltoppers’ top offensive contributor with four goals and an assist.

North Texas will be moving on to the next round of the C-USA tournament this week. The Hilltopper loss wraps up their 2022 season. 

News reporter Izzy Lanuza can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @izzylanuza.