A Tense Exhibition at the WKU Soccer Complex
WKU Soccer and Samford met on Friday at the WKU Soccer Complex for an exhibition that stretched across three 30‑minute periods, a format that set the stage for a tightly contested contest.
The match remained deadlocked for nearly 70 minutes, with both sides unable to break the deadlock despite a series of chances. Samford finally opened the scoring in the 72nd minute, only for WKU to level the contest in the 86th minute via a penalty converted by freshman Rose Finnegan.
Goalkeeping duties saw Mia Riddick start the game and make three saves before being replaced by Emma Teague for the final segment. Teague added four more stops, helping preserve the tie despite the heat‑induced fatigue that affected both squads.
Coach Jason Neidell praised the impact of the freshmen, noting that Finnegan’s composure under pressure and the overall energy of the newcomers were bright spots. He also acknowledged the physical toll the sweltering conditions took on the players, especially those coming off a recent Ole Miss victory.
Looking ahead, the Hilltoppers are set to begin their official 2026 campaign against Missouri on August 13 at 7:00 p.m. Admission to all WKU Soccer games at the complex remains free, and the team hopes the early chemistry forged in this exhibition will translate into a strong start.