LYNCHBURG, Va. – Eighth-seeded Missouri State women's soccer stunned top-seeded Western Kentucky on Sunday afternoon, earning a 2-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Championship at Osborne Stadium. The win marks WKU's first loss of the season against a conference opponent, and propels the Bears to the CUSA semifinals with a 6-8-4 record, while the Hilltoppers finish their year at 9-5-3.

Missouri State came out firing, nearly breaking through in the opening 10 minutes with multiple chances. Lillie Rasmussen sent a volley just wide in the third minute. In the eighth minute, Reilly Heman unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box that crashed off the crossbar. Rasmussen was first to the rebound, sending a shot on target that forced a diving save from WKU goalkeeper Maddie Davis. Minutes later, Heman nearly struck again with a header off a corner, while Jane Hansen's rebound attempt missed narrowly left.

The Bears' early energy was matched defensively when Kayla Smith made a crucial sliding tackle to deny a WKU forward on a breakaway, keeping the score level. Missouri State's persistence finally paid off in the 34th minute when freshman Ellie Neath scored her first collegiate goal with a bar-down strike from just inside the box off an assist from Rasmussen, with Julia Kristensen sparking the attack.

Missouri State doubled its lead in the 58th minute when Reilly Heman broke free behind the defense after a perfectly placed ball from Abby Hansen, finishing calmly with her left foot to make it 2-0. The play began with Neath regaining possession deep in the Bears' half, starting the counterattack.

Goalkeeper Ella Becker anchored the Bears' defense with four saves, including a dramatic stop on a WKU penalty kick in the 90th minute to preserve the clean sheet, her fifth of the season. Missouri State's back line, led by Maddie Schneiderhahn and Smith, kept the Hilltoppers' potent offense in check, limiting them to eight total shots.

"This team has battled all year long but hasn't always gotten the result we felt we were capable of," said head coach Kirk Nelson. "Tonight, we got the result and showed how well we can play when we stay focused on our style of play and defending as a team. Team is fired up for an opportunity to play in the semis!"

Missouri State now advances to the CUSA semifinals and will play Tuesday, Nov. 4, against the winner of Middle Tennessee and FIU at 6 p.m. (CT) in Lynchburg, Va.