The WKU Lady Toppers will officially kick off the 2023 soccer season on Thursday night when they host the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at 7 PM at the WKU Soccer Complex. This opener starts a six-match homestand for the Lady Toppers to open the regular season schedule.

WKU comes into this season looking to build on a solid 2022 campaign where they went 10-4-3 overall and finished third in Conference USA with a 6-2-2 record. Some key returners are leading the way, like junior forward Kayla Meyer, the team’s top goal scorer last year with four, and fifth-year senior Katie Erwin who paced the squad with four assists. 

The Lady Toppers recently concluded exhibition play with a pair of strong performances, shutting out both Chattanooga 2-0 and Belmont 1-0. In those tune-up matches, Meyer and Erwin both found the back of the net along with freshman Rylee Finol. The WKU defense and goalkeeping also looked sharp, allowing just five total shots on goal over both exhibitions.

Now the tests become real as Tennessee Tech comes to town. The Golden Eagles were chosen as the preseason favorites in the Ohio Valley Conference after claiming the 2022 regular season title. They pose a stiff early test for WKU.

These two teams have only met once before, playing to a 1-1 draw last season in Cookeville. Lady Topper midfielder Lily Rummo scored in the first half before Tennessee Tech equalized late in that previous matchup. 

The Golden Eagles return five all-conference players from last year including reigning OVC Midfielder of the Year Yao Giada Zhou. They will look to control possession and tempo.

For WKU, the keys will be converting scoring chances and limiting Tech’s opportunities. If Meyer, Erwin, and the Lady Topper attack can break through and the defense stays stingy, they should be able to protect their home turf in the season lid-lifter.

With a veteran roster and two shutouts under their belt already, WKU appears ready for the challenges of a tough non-conference slate ahead of Conference USA play. Opening night will indicate early if the Lady Toppers are poised to make noise in the league race this fall.

TTU will be a nice early-season challenge for the Lady Toppers. However, WKU should have the advantage with a more talented roaster and playing at home. I will take WKU to win 2-0 over the reigning OVC Champs. 

Make sure to stick to Bluegrass Soccer Cast (@BGSoccerCast on all social media platforms) for full coverage of the WKU Lady Toppers soccer team and everything soccer in our beautiful Commonwealth.

(Photo: Steve Roberts/WKU Athletics)