Down 1-0 with 10 seconds left, sophomore midfielder Alyvia Wells connected with a long ball by freshman Lauren Alexander to secure WKU soccer a 1-1 tie on Thursday night. 

“We keep finding ways to get results. It was great to see us equalize late and salvage a point out of this game,” Head Coach Jason Neidell said. 

This marks Wells’ second goal in a row within the last ten minutes after her game-winning goal against Missouri State, Oct. 12. 

The game was level by halftime, with both teams not being able to find the back of the net. WKU dominated the shots in the first 45 minutes, shooting ten times compared to the Miners’ two. 

In the second half, the Miners had more opportunities to find the net, having nine shots in the second half compared to WKU’s seven. In the 87th minute, redshirt senior Hayden McMillan converted her shot to give UTEP a 1-0 lead. 

On the verge of suffering their first Conference USA loss, Alexander sent a long ball catching UTEP’s redshirt sophomore goalie Sophia Dean off guard and giving Wells an easy header. 

“We were trying to get the ball forward, and Lauren played a long service and I think it caught them in between their goalkeeper was coming out and their defenders were going back,” Neidell said. 

Both goalkeepers had impressive outings, for WKU senior Maddie Davis made six saves while Dean made nine saves. 

The tie takes the Hilltoppers to the top of Conference USA, tied with 14 points with Liberty. 

WKU Soccer returns to action Sunday, Oct. 1,9 to play New Mexico State at the WKU Soccer Complex. Kick-off set for 1 p.m.