HUNTINGTON, W. Va. -- Freshman Chandler Backes struck for her C-USA-leading eighth goal of the season in the 83rd minute on Thursday evening, sending WKU to a 1-0 victory over Marshall in the conference opener for both sides at Hoops Family Field.
Backes, who entered the week tied for the lead among all Division I freshmen with seven goals, outran her defender around the left side and caught Marshall (2-3-2) goalkeeper Emily Moreland out of position before slotting a shot past her into the far corner of the netting. The Lady Toppers (5-3-0) have now won four of their last five matches, and Backes has moved into a tie for eighth place on WKU's all-time single-season goalscoring list alongside Jenna Silverberg, Kristin Cocchiarella and Mallory Outerbridge.