BOWLING GREEN, KY. – The Old Dominion women's soccer team topped the WKU Hill Toppers 1-0 on Friday night in Bowling Green, Kentucky to extend their perfect Conference USA record to 5-0. WKU went into this match with a No. 16 RPI and ranked third in the South region.
Head coach Angie Hind said, "To come here tonight and play one of the top ranked teams in the nation right now and play the way we did was just fantastic. For me it wasn't just the win it was our ability to play the style of soccer we want to play while also dealing with the pressure a team like WKU puts on you. It's just great".
With both teams going into the match with undefeated conference records, ODU and WKU both came out with intensity, looking to get on the board first.
ODU (9-3-0, 5-0-0 C-USA) was able to pull ahead right before going into halftime. In the 39th minute, Old Dominion got the first corner kick of the game. Carla Morich served the corner, intending to find Emily Roberts, who was able to get a body on the ball. Riley Kennett rebounded the ball, sending a shot into the far corner of the net, just out of reach of the WKU goalkeeper, Alexis Bach's hands.
Going into halftime, ODU led in shots (6-2) and in corner kicks (1-0).
Carla Morich, Megan Watts, Morgan Hall and Riley Kennett led ODU the offense with three shots each. Kasey Perry recorded her fifth clean sheet of the season.
WKU (9-2-0, 4-1-0 C-USA) was led on the attack by Katie Irwin, with three shots, and Chelsea Moore, with one shot. Bach played all 90 minutes for the Lady Toppers recording five saves. Bach went 238 minutes of play without allowing a goal before ODU scored.
ODU finished the game leading in shots (13-4) and shots on goal (6-1). WKU led in corner kicks (4-2).
ODU is now 6-0-1 all-time against WKU.
"I am so proud of this group, they are so together, they work for each other and trust each other on the ball. When you play tough games like this the margins of victory are small and although we had more of the ball and more chances you have to take them when it matters and what a goal Riley scored. Just great," Hind said.
The Monarchs will return to the ODU Soccer Complex to play Charlotte on Friday, October 15 at 4:30 p.m.