A Tight Exhibition Ends in a Draw
The Hilltoppers and the Bulldogs met at the WKU Soccer Complex on Friday, playing to a 1‑1 stalemate in an exhibition that featured three 30‑minute periods instead of the usual two halves. Samford struck first in the 72nd minute, but a penalty conversion by Rose Finnegan in the 86th minute restored parity for Western Kentucky.
Both sides were locked at zero for the opening 70 minutes, but the tempo rose sharply in the final stretch. Goalkeeper Mia Riddick tended the net for the first hour, making three saves before Emma Teague took over; Teague added four more stops in the remaining minutes.
Freshmen Step Up and Goalkeeping Shuffle
Head coach Jason Neidell praised the effort, noting that the match served as a solid test against a competitive Samford side and highlighted the impact of several freshmen who stepped up when it mattered most.
The Hilltoppers will begin their 2026 campaign on August 13 with a home game against Missouri, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. The contest is part of a series of free admissions at the WKU Soccer Complex, giving fans an early glimpse of the team’s new look.