BOWLING GREEN, Ky. \u2013\u00a0The Hilltoppers will open Conference USA play against Liberty on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. Kickoff is set for 10:30 a.m. CT.\u00a0<\/p>\n
GAME INFO
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\nABOUT THE TOPS<\/p>\n
SERIES HISTORY<\/p>\n
\nABOUT THE LIONS<\/p>\n
\nHow to follow the\u00a0Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Soccer, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Soccer on X and Instagram.
\n\tWKU (6-0-4) vs. Liberty (7-2-1)
\n\tSaturday, Sept. 26 | 10:30 a.m. (CT) | Lynchburg, VA | Osborne Stadium\u00a0
\n\tESPN+<\/a>
\n\tLive Stats<\/a>
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\n\tWKU Soccer finished non-conference play undefeated for just the second time in program history.\u00a0
\n\tThe Hilltoppers’ 6-0-4 record marks the first time since 2008 that WKU has gone unbeaten through its first 10 games, tying for the third-longest unbeaten streak in program history.\u00a0
\n\tSenior Alaina Nugier<\/a> and Freshman Emma Teague<\/a> were tabbed as Conference USA Players of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. Nugier earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after providing clean 1v1 defending and starting key attacks from the back to help WKU remain unbeaten through its final two non-conference games. Nugier played 135 minutes across both matches and helped limit each opponent to fewer than eight shots. Teague was named Goalkeeper of the Week after posting a shutout against Lindenwood. She recorded a career-high three saves, including a leaping save that kept the match scoreless.\u00a0
\n\tMost recently, WKU finished non-conference play with a 0-0 draw against Lindenwood on Sunday. Despite outshooting the Lions 14-8, the Hilltoppers could not get much going offensively in a physical match. Goalkeeper Emma Teague<\/a> made two impressive saves in the final 10 minutes to secure the draw.\u00a0Rylee Finol<\/a> and April McDonald<\/a> led the offensive charge recording three shots each.\u00a0
\n\tBetween the posts, goalkeeper Mia Riddick<\/a> has been a key part of the Hilltoppers’ success, recording 26 saves while allowing just two goals this season. Riddick currently leads CUSA in goals-against average (0.26), saves, and shutouts per game (0.556), while ranking sixth nationally in GAA, third in save percentage (0.929), and 11th in shutouts (5). Riddick has earned CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week honors twice this season.\u00a0
\n\tAs a team, the Hilltoppers rank among the nation’s best defensively, sitting sixth nationally in GAA (0.300), fourth in save percentage (0.906), and eighth in shutout percentage (0.700).
\n\tFor the season, forward Makenna Egan<\/a> leads the Hilltoppers with four goals, two of which came in the match against SEMO marking her first brace of the season. Egan’s three game-winning goals this season rank second in CUSA and ninth nationally.\u00a0
\n\tMidfielder Georgia Liapis<\/a> has provided a team-high four assists this season, a mark that ranks first in CUSA.
\n\tMaggie Bellair’s<\/a>\u00a0two goals and two assists make her the first Hilltopper to record multiple of each this season.
\n\tThe WKU roster runs deep as five other Hilltoppers have found the back of the net this season: April McDonald<\/a> (3), Danielle Lewin<\/a> (1), Cena Carlson<\/a> (1), Tyler Roth<\/a> (1), and Sophia Lezizidis<\/a> (1).\u00a0
\n\tJunior defender Abby Wiedermann<\/a> has anchored the Hilltoppers’ back line throughout the first half of the season, playing a team-leading 793:19 minutes. She has helped limit seven of WKU’s 10 opponents to fewer than 10 shots and has earned CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors once this season.
\n\tThe Hilltoppers are led by Jason Neidell in his 26th season on The Hill as the only head coach in WKU women’s soccer history. Neidell earned CUSA Coach of the Year honors last season.\u00a0
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\n\tThis will be the third matchup between the teams. WKU has a 1-0-1 record against Liberty.\u00a0
\n\tThe Hilltoppers are 1-0-0 against the Flames when playing at Osborne Stadium.
\n\tThe last meeting came in 2024 at the WKU Soccer Complex, resulting in a 0-0 draw.\u00a0
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\n\tLiberty’s 7-2-1 record includes wins over East Carolina, VCU, Charlotte, William & Mary, George Mason, James Madison, and Old Dominion.\u00a0
\n\tThe Flames are currently on a five-game win streak.
\n\tMost recently, the Flames defeated Old Dominion, 2-1, on Sunday. Halle Engle and Izzie Smulik scored in the match. Three goalkeepers recorded minutes combining for four saves.
\n\tThe Flames have scored 16 total goals this season. Forward Halle Engle leads Liberty with four goals while seven other players have also scored for the Flames.\u00a0
\n\tMidfielder Avenly Monteith has recorded a team-high three assists.\u00a0
\n\tGoalkeeper Ainsley Leja has done most of the work in goal for Liberty this season. Leja has recorded 26 saves, while allowing six goals in 10 matches.\u00a0
\n\tThe Flames finished the 2025 season with a 14-4-4 overall record, including a 6-0-2 finish in CUSA play. Liberty won the 2025 CUSA Tournament before falling to Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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