Program Preview: The Vanderbilt Game
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - With just two non conference games remaining before beginning Sun Belt Conference play, WKU (4-2) plays host to Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt at the WKU Soccer Complex Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Vanderbilt (2-3-1) marks the second team from the Southeastern Conference to come into the WKU Soccer Complex this season. WKU has split its last two games with SEC foes at the WKU Soccer Complex, defeating Mississippi in 2008 and falling to Tennessee earlier this season.
WKU finished the past weekend with an impressive 1-1 record during a road swing to Minneapolis, defeating Bowling Green 2-1 and suffering a 1-0 setback to Minnesota, currently ranked 29th in the nation in the latest NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA National Rankings.
Junior Torrie Lange (Florence, Kentucky) made a major impact on both sides of the ball over the weekend while the Lady Toppers made their final trip north of the 2012 regular season. Against Bowling Green, the defender connected on her only shot attempt of the season thus far as part of set piece to give the Lady Toppers a 1-0 lead late in the first half of a 2-1 win over the Falcons. Against Minnesota, she helped hold the Gophers' Taylor Uhl without a goal for the first time this season and was part of a defensive effort that held Minnesota without a first half goal for the first time this year. The one goal by Minnesota was also a season low.
The Lady Toppers have continued the season long trend of spreading the wealth. Through six games, WKU has already had 11 players record a point for the team. Overall, seven different players have scored a goal and eight players have recorded an assist this season. Senior Amanda Buechel (Cincinnati, Ohio) currently leads the team in goals (4) and points (9).
The Lady Toppers, among three teams receiving votes in the latest NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA South Region Rankings, have faced a demanding non-conference schedule. WKU has had an influence on the national rankings throughout the season though. WKU's two losses have resulted in a boost in the rankings for the teams that beat them. After Tennessee defeated WKU on Aug. 19, the team went from 36th in the rankings to 27th. The team has continued to climb in the polls and is currently ranked among the top 25 in the nation. After Minnesota beat WKU on Sept. 3, the Gophers rose from 41st to 29th in the national rankings.
Vanderbilt is coming off a 2-1 setback in double overtime to Memphis in Nashville on Thursday evening. The Commodores played their first four games of the season on the road, including a 3-1 setback at #4 Oklahoma State and a 1-1 tie in double overtime at Oklahoma. The game will mark the final non-conference contest for the Commodores this season.
Single game tickets are available through the WKU Ticket Office by calling 270-745-5222 or 1-800-5-BIG-RED. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.wkusports.com. In addition, a game ticket package with nine vouchers that can be used for any game during the 2012 season are available for just $25 through the ticket office.
The game is also High School and Middle School Soccer Team Day at the WKU Soccer Complex. All area middle and high school soccer teams can receive complimentary admission to this match by contacting Thomas Harris in WKU Athletics Marketing at 270-745-6048.
The game with Vanderbilt is the first of a four game home stretch that includes the Sun Belt Conference opener for the Lady Toppers on Sept. 21 against Arkansas State.
For complete coverage of WKU Soccer, visit the official website of WKU Athletics at www.wkusports.com.
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