WKU Women's Soccer Defeats Kennesaw State to Advance to CUSA Semifinals

WKU Secures CUSA Semifinal Berth

The Western Kentucky University women’s soccer team punched its ticket to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals on Sunday, clinching a 1-0 victory over Kennesaw State in the quarterfinals.

The win moves the program into the tournament's final four for only the second time in its history and the first since 2020, WBKO reported.

For the Hilltoppers, the result was the culmination of an aggressive offensive strategy that kept Kennesaw State on its heels for the duration of the match. While the first half ended in a scoreless stalemate, the statistical gap between the two sides was stark.

WKU unleashed 22 shots throughout the contest, nine of which forced saves or hit the target, while the Hilltopper defense effectively neutralized the Owls, allowing only a single shot across the entire 90 minutes of play.

The Breakthrough in the 78th Minute

The decisive moment arrived late in the second half when Mya Jackson found the back of the net in the 78th minute. The play was set up by graduate forward Danielle Lewin, who had entered the match as a substitute.

According to coverage from the WKU Herald, Lewin provided the assist just nine minutes after stepping onto the pitch, capitalizing on a rebound after her own initial strike was turned away by the Kennesaw State goalkeeper.

WKU Women's Soccer Defeats Kennesaw State to Advance to CUSA Semifinals — Photo: wkuherald.com

Jackson’s goal served as the exclamation point on a consistent run of form for the sophomore midfielder, who has now scored in three consecutive matches. The defensive unit—anchored by Alaina Nugier, Abby Wiedermann, and Kora Kipley—played the full 90 minutes to ensure the shutout remained intact.

This defensive lockdown was a recurring theme throughout the day, as the two teams engaged in a physical battle that saw 27 combined fouls, according to the WKU Herald.

Jason Neidell Praises Squad Persistence After Team Win

Head coach Jason Neidell expressed pride in his squad’s persistence after the match. “We created plenty of chances, and we just couldn’t find the back of the net,” Neidell told WBKO. “Credit to Kennesaw for their tough defending today. We stuck with the game plan and just kept at it. And our moment of magic happened. It was a great team win!”

Western Kentucky vs. Kennesaw State – 2026 Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship

“We created plenty of chances, and we just couldn’t find the back of the net. Credit to Kennesaw for their tough defending today. We stuck with the game plan and just kept at it. And our moment of magic happened. It was a great team win!” — Jason Neidell, WKU Head Coach. Jason Neidell

The victory brings the Hilltoppers’ season record to 12-1-6, moving the team into sixth place on the program’s single-season victory list. The efficiency of the attack was shared among several key players; Georgia Liapis and Mya Jackson led the offensive charge with four shots each.

Danielle Lewin’s late-game contribution moved her into third place in WKU’s all-time career assists record, showing her impact despite playing reduced minutes due to a recent injury.

The Path to the CUSA Championship

With the quarterfinal victory secured, the Hilltoppers now turn their attention to the semifinal round. The team is scheduled to face the winner of the match between Delaware and Middle Tennessee State University. That semifinal contest is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 3 p.m. CT.

The stakes for the upcoming match are high, as the winner will advance to the conference championship game. The Hilltoppers’ performance against Kennesaw State suggests a team peaking at the right time, though the tournament bracket remains wide open as the remaining contenders vie for a spot in the final round.