Photo - WKU Athletics
Leading 1-0 at the halftime break, WKU found the back of the net three times in the final 45 minutes on Sunday evening, including a brace from sophomore Chandler Backes, as the Lady Toppers picked up a 4-1 victory over Evansville at the WKU Soccer Complex. Of WKU’s season-high 23 shots, 14 came during the second-half offensive barrage and 12 were on target throughout the match. Backes had a match-high five attempts, followed by Sarah Gorham’s four and three apiece from Hannah Chua and Megan Morris. Freshman Ashley Leonard again found the back of the net to open the scoring on Sunday after tallying the golden goal in WKU’s last match against UT Martin, while Morris scored for the first time this season in the 75th minute.
Backes’ pair of goals on Sunday gives her 14 for her career in just 24 career matches, already just one shy of tying Morgan Thomas for 10th place on the program’s all-time goalscoring list. With an assist on Leonard’s opening goal, Backes also has 31 career points (14 goals, three assists) and is within striking distance of the top 10 in that category as well.
In addition to outshooting Evansville 23-9 on the evening, WKU also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks as Aleksandra Kozovic continued to handle the set piece duties from the corner flags for the Lady Toppers. In goal, Allison Leone made three saves and surrendered just one goal before giving way to Keely Vincent with nine minutes remaining for the first time this season. Vincent, a Bowling Green native, was not pressed into action for any saves during her relief appearance.
WKU will return to action next Friday evening at 6 p.m. as the Lady Toppers host SEC foe Vanderbilt at the WKU Soccer Complex. WKU will be aiming for its first victory over a Power 5 conference team since a 2-1 double overtime victory over Ole Miss on Aug. 22, 2008, as it hosts the Commodores.
(Courtesy WKU Athletics)
