The Purple Aces tallied their first goal of the season on Sunday night
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team couldn’t overcome an early second-half deficit in a 4-1 loss to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
The Purple Aces found the back of the net for the first time in the young 2024 season on Sunday night. Redshirt freshman forward Paige Radel (Metamora, Ohio / Evergreen HS) netted her first collegiate goal in the 68th minute with some help from senior forward Hailey Autenrieb (Cincinnati / Seaton HS).
But one goal wasn’t enough for UE to keep up with a second-half offensive onslaught form the Hilltoppers. It was a quiet first half as only three shots found their way on goal from either side. Sophomore goalkeeper Elke Travis (Henderson, Nev. / Faith Lutheran HS) stopped both attempts from WKU in the first 45 minutes as it was a nil-nil game going into the second half.
It was a quick start in the second half for Evansville as sophomore midfielder Ashlyn Koutsos (Cumming, Ga. / West Forsyth HS) launched a shot to the left corner. But the Aces found themselves down early as the Hilltoppers scored two goals in under three minutes shortly after. UE cut into Western Kentucky’s lead in the 68th minute as Radel found the bottom right corner of the net off a long cross from Autenrieb.
The lone goal wouldn’t be enough for Evansville to come back from the one-goal deficit. Despite a quality chance in the 80th minute for forward Amy Velazquez (Avon, Ind. / Avon HS) the Aces didn’t find the back of the net again. But the Hilltoppers continued to pour on the pressure, resulting in two more goals in the 81st and 89th minutes, handing UE a 4-1 loss.
Evansville returns home this upcoming week for a matchup with the Lindenwood Lions. It will be the Aces first program game against the Lions on Thursday, August 29th. Kickoff for Thursday’s match is set for 6 p.m. from Arad McCutchan Stadium.
