Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University’s soccer team concludes its preseason on Sunday, August 14th with a 2:00pm match against Western Kentucky at Morgan Brothers Soccer Field.
The Governors and Hilltoppers will play three 30-minute periods in Sunday’s contest.
A solid defensive effort from the Govs in the preseason opener kept the goalkeeper duo of Chloé Dion and Katie Bahn from facing numerous shots, as each goalie recorded a single save in 45 minutes of action.
Austin Peay State University had four players record two-or-more shots in its 15-shot performance against the Trojans and were led by a trio of takes by Heistermann and sophomore Haley Patterson.
Western Kentucky opened its preseason with a scoreless draw against Murray State, Wednesday. The Hilltoppers outshot the Racers 13-9 in regulation, including a 9-5 on shots on goal in the match.
The Hilltoppers return a pair of All-Conference USA selections from last year’s team that finished second in the C-USA East Division in Lyric Schmidt and Katie Erwin. Schmidt helped lead WKU’s defense last season that held opponents to just 13 goals in 2021, the second-fewest in program history, while Erwin recorded four goals and assists for the Hilltoppers last season.
About the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
2022 Record: (0-0-0, 0-0-0 C-USA)
2021 Record: (10-5-1, 5-2-1 C-USA)
2021 Season Result: After finishing second in the Conference USA Eat Division, the Hilltoppers fell to Alabama-Birmingham, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the 2021 C-USA Tournament.
Notable Returners: A fifth-year defender, Lyric Schmidt was a 2021 United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Third Team recipient after being an inaugural part of the WKU defense that help opponents to just 13 goals last season
A 2021 USC All-South Region and Conference USA Third Team nominee in 2021, Katie Erwin was a two-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week for the Hilltoppers last season after recording four goals and assists in her senior season.
All-Time Series (Since 2012): 8-1-1, WKU
Last Meeting: 2-0, WKU. August 19th, 2021
The Governors dropped a 2-0 decision to open their 2021 campaign at Western Kentucky after the Hilltoppers found the back of the net twice in the second half.
Quick Kicks
The Governors and first-year head coach Kim McGowan take the pitch for the second time this preseason in Sunday’s match against Western Kentucky.
Austin Peay State University shut out Little Rock, 2-0, in its first preseason action of 2022.
Following last week’s victory against the Trojans, the APSU Govs are 6-3-4 in exhibition matches since 2015 and have outscored opponents 25-15 in that span.
Clara Heistermann found the back of the net for the first time in her career against the Trojans.
Senior forward Jisela Dall assisted on Heistermann’s goal in what would have been her first-career assist.
APSU is 2-0-1 in its last three exhibition matches and have not lost a preseason contest since 2019.
The Govs return four goalscorers from last season. The quartet accounted for 58-percent of last season’s scores.
Sophomore Alec Baumgardt highlights the Govs’ 18 returners for the 2022 season. The Federal Way, Washington native led Austin Peay State University in goals (3), assists (3), points (9), and game-winning goals (2) last year, earning first team all-conference honors.
Senior goalkeeper Chloé Dion returns to the net for the Governors in 2022. The Mirabel, Quebec native played in nine games last season, starting eight, and recorded a career-best 44 saves.
Dion’s 64-career saves rank 10th all-time in APSU soccer history. Dion needs 19 saves to pass former teammate Peyton Powell (2018-21) for ninth all-time.
The Govs’ 11 newcomers are comprised of seven freshmen and four transfers. Those transfers – Regan Nolan, Coastal Carolina; Chloe Murphy, North Alabama; Annabel Anderson, Virginia Commonwealth; and Marli Niederhauser, Utah State – bring a combined nine seasons of experience 93 matches played.
The ASUN Women’s Soccer Fan-Voted Player of the Year, Niederhauser signed with the APSU Govs in April after spending the first four years of her collegiate career in Logan, Utah where she played in 69 matches, starting 27.
Austin Peay State University’s 29-man roster features players from 14 different states and four countries
Follow the APSU Govs
For news and updates throughout the APSU Governors’ 2022 and inaugural ASUN season, follow the soccer team on Twitter and Instagram (@GovsWSOC) and on Facebook (Austin Peay Women’s Soccer).
Next Up For APSU Soccer
With the preseason behind it following Sunday’s match, the Austin Peay State University soccer team travels to Oxford, Ohio for its regular-season opener against Miami (OH). Coach McGowan was an assistant and associate head coach for the RedHawks for four seasons before being named the fourth head coach in Austin Peay State University soccer history.
