BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – An all-around, solid team performance carried Charlotte to a 3-0 triumph at WKU Sunday afternoon in Conference USA women’s soccer action. The 49ers tallied all three of their goals during the second 45 minutes, while the defense limited the Lady Toppers’ chances on the other end.

Freshman Martha Thomas put Charlotte (5-5-1, 2-2 C-USA) ahead to stay with her team-leading seventh score of the campaign at 49:58 after both teams entered the intermission without finding the back of the net. Thomas did not waste much time after receiving a pass from sophomore Rebecca Beatty, as she broke free from the WKU defense and finished from 15 yards out past goalkeeper Allison Leone.

The two teams traded shots over the next few minutes with neither side able to penetrate the other until Thomas located senior Sara Trexler for a 2-0 Niners edge at 61:44. Trexler was inside the 18-yard box when she placed her shot between the pipes for her second goal in as many games.

Charlotte did not waste any time extending its cushion to 3-0, as its next attempt, off the foot of senior Amanda Jones, provided the winning margin at 63:53. Jones also was inside the penalty area upon collecting assists from Trexler and classmate Jessica Ryan.

The 49ers’ defense held the Lady Toppers to just one shot in the first half, though WKU (6-4, 1-2 C-USA) had more chances in the second period. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Annika McHenry finished with two saves to preserve her third shutout of the season and sixth of her career, tying Natalie LaVigne (2008-11) for seventh in program history.

Jones led all players with four shots, putting two on goal, while both of Thomas’ attempts were also on goal. Sophomore Perri Bonner also tallied two shots for the Niners, as they finished with a 12-6 advantage in the category.

Charlotte will now return home for its next three Conference USA matches, starting with a 7 p.m. Friday meeting with Louisiana Tech. Just like Sunday’s meeting with WKU, Friday will pit the 49ers against the Lady Techsters for the first time in women’s soccer play.

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