Michael Dylan Payne

WKU #25 Lily Rummo celebrates with teammates #13 Katie Erwin and #9 Sydney Ernst after scoring the only goal of the night. The Hilltoppers upset the University of Texas at El Paso 1-0.

The Lady Toppers returned to the WKU Soccer Complex to open conference play with a match versus Middle Tennessee State on Thursday night.  They came back and delivered a statement as they shut out their rivals, the Blue Raiders 3-0, with a well-rounded game on both sides of the ball.  This is their first win in the month of September.

“This was a collective effort tonight,” head coach Jason Neidell said. “This was a great team effort. We’ve been kind of waiting for our team to click and tonight we clicked. It was really great to see as a coach and I know our student-athletes really enjoyed playing for each other tonight.”

The Lady Toppers dominated on both sides of the ball.  Graduate Katie Erwin led the way with two goals, one in the 13^th minute and the other in the 28^th minute.  Graduate Olivia Cook also scored on a penalty kick and assisted Erwin’s 28th minute goal.  All throughout the game, the Lady Toppers stayed aggressive on offense, attempting 13 shots, resulting in their three points.

It was, however, the WKU defense that really showed off.  It’s their fifth shutout and the fifth game redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Davis posted a clean slate.  The few shots Middle Tennessee got off were kept clear of the net, as their only shot attempts came in the second half.

WKU improves to 10-6-7 all-time versus Middle Tennessee and 7-0-4 all-time at home.  They have a long break before heading down to Jacksonville, Alabama to play the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Sunday, September 24^th.

Sports Reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at [email protected].