WKU Soccer set for first-ever CUSA title game
NEWARK, Del. – After winning a thrilling semifinal matchup against Delaware in the 2026 CUSA Women’s Soccer Championships on Tuesday, WKU soccer is now set to take the stage in it’s biggest game of the season.
Western’s defeat of the Blue Hens marked the first time the Tops had trailed in the first half of any match this season, but head coach Jason Neidell said his girls were very resilient, helping the squad survive and advance.
It’s a newer territory for the Toppers, who will play in their fourth title match in program history, but the first ever in Conference USA.
WKU began CUSA play on the road against a tough Liberty team, and that was the only loss the team has seen so far.
Now, they believe through time they’ve grown and excelled, and they’re poised to avenge that loss to earn the hardware over the Flames.
“We feel like we have personnel and key pieces in the right places to be able to break down Liberty and beat them,” Neidell said. “I think the harder challenge is for them, because I think it’s hard to beat a really good team twice in one season.”
WKU’s had such a strong season, anchored down by a core of six seniors who’ve spent four years on the Hill.
They’ve seen the highs and the lows this team has been through, and a chance at etching their names down in Hilltopper history has been the main goal since day one on campus.
“I think every single one of us has played a role in getting the team to where it is now. We’ve done a great job of leading by example and our team culture is what’s made us so successful this year, so I think that shows on the field in our love for one another. It means a lot,” senior midfielder Georgia Liapis said.
“I’ve gotten hundreds of texts and emails from people that I haven’t heard from in a long time, alumni of the program, longtime friends, fans that we’ve won over since we’ve been here. I’m encouraged by the support and thank everyone for the support and I certainly hope that they’ll tune in on ESPN+ on Friday and cheer so loud that we can hear them through the screen.”
Catch the title bout between the Hilltoppers and the Flames on ESPN+ Friday morning at 11 a.m. CT.
