BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A late goal surrendered to Western Kentucky solidified a 1-1 draw on the road Thursday night for KSU, maintaining the Owls undefeated CUSA record (1-0-3).

The Owls are unbeaten in five straight games, the longest regular season streak for the Black and Gold since 2017 (7).

"It wasn't the result we thought we had with five minutes left but picking up a point on the road is still crucial," head coach Chris Cahill said. "I'm really proud of the second half performance and the team's ability to be dangerous quickly as well as working box-to-box for each other."

First Half
At the 30-minute mark, the Owls were able to deny back-to-back chances from the Hilltoppers. The chances were highlighted by a leaping save from KSU goalkeeper Charlee Bernal. Bernal skied to her right to send a would-be goal over the cross bar.

The Owls were on the precipice of promising opportunities via the through ball but were unable to find Owls on the end of the passes. KSU manufactured numerous runs toward the goal, but the WKU keeper quickly disposed of the chances.

Defender Naomi Moleka checked in for the first time in three games. The junior's last appearance was versus Jackson State (9/22).

KSU was able to fire off four shots in the first half with two of those being on goal.

Second Half
Less than a minute in, Alana Nesbit nearly registered the first goal of the game as she pounded a ball off the crossbar, deflecting back near midfield. After a scramble and possessing the ball on the edge of the box, Nesbit created an inch of space and unleashed a left-footed boot merely inches away from a goal.

In the 66^th minute, Tianna Rivera scratched across the first goal of the game as she directed a left foot shot to take the 1-0 advantage. The play began from a throw in near the box with the ball advancing with the flick through the air from Macie Rainwater. The pass was received by Rivera as she cut to her left and fired in the goal, beating the keeper to the opposite side of her dive.

It's back-to-back scores for Rivera as she scored the first goal versus Sam Houston State. It's the first time since 2022 the forward has scored in consecutive games as she did so versus EKU and Bellarmine (10/13 & 10/16). Her tear versus conference opponents continues as she has scored 13 career goals, 11 coming versus ASUN or CUSA opponents. The fifth-year senior collected the third goal of her season.

With three minutes left, the Owls surrendered a goal that took a deflection off an Owl defender. The ball was directed on goal but was redirected past Bernal to tie the game 1-1.
One last rush down the left flank for KSU wasn't enough to grab the lead back as the Owls tied 1-1 with the Hilltoppers.

Spotlights
Cahill now owns the longest unbeaten streak of any first year coach in KSU's D-I history (5).

Next Up:
Sunday's match up versus MTSU starts at 2 p.m. ET.
 
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