Western Kentucky’s women’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Austin Peay in the season opener Thursday night in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Austin Peay (1-0-0) took a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but the Hilltoppers (0-1-0) battled back to get within a goal late in the match. WKU was unable to score an equalizer.

“Soccer can be a cruel game,” WKU coach Jason Neidell said in a news release. “We dug ourselves a pretty big hole going down two goals early in the second half and just didn’t have enough to equalize and get back into the game. It was nice to see Ashton Lynam score her first collegiate goal. I love this group, and there are better days ahead.”

After a scoreless first half, Austin Peay found the back of the net first in the 47th minute. The Governors’ Paige Chrustowski placed the ball in the upper right corner of the goal, just out of the reach of goalkeeper Maddie Davis.

Austin Peay quickly followed up with another goal two minutes later. APSU’s Ellie Dreas fired the ball from slightly outside the box on the right side and lofted the ball to the far side of the goal.

The Hilltoppers cut into the lead in the 77th minute when freshman Ashton Lynam scored her first career goal. Camryn Davis found a running Maggie Morris on the right side of the field. Morris sent the ball into the box and Lynam got her foot on it and fired it past the keeper.

Lynam’s goal was the first time a freshman has scored WKU’s first goal of the season since the 2020 season when Ellie Belcher scored the first goal against North Alabama.

WKU outshot Austin Peay, 11-10, in the match and had seven shots on goal compared to the Governor’s six.

Hilltopper goalkeeper Maddie Davis finished the night with four saves.

Georgia Liapis put three shots on goal. Alyvia Walls, Kendall Wade and Emrie Springs all had one shot on goal.

WKU controlled possession for 55% of the game.

The Hilltoppers will host Union (Tenn.) on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. for the 2024 home opener at the WKU Soccer Complex.