OWENSBORO, Ky. – The University of West Alabama women's soccer team started the 2025 season on the right foot Thursday night, earning a 1-0 victory on the road against Kentucky Wesleyan at Panther Field.

The lone goal of the match came early, as junior forward Bailee Fairley found the back of the net in the eighth minute, giving the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish. It was Fairley's first goal in a UWA uniform, and it provided the difference in a hard-fought contest.

True freshman goalkeeper Yumari Hernandez anchored the Tigers defensively, recording five saves to secure the shutout. Kentucky Wesleyan pressed throughout the match, finishing with an 8-7 edge in total shots and a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks, but Hernandez and the UWA backline stood tall to keep the clean sheet in her collegiate debut.

Fairley and Selis Demirci paced the Tiger attack, with Fairley registering two shots on goal, including the game-winner, while Demirci drew a second-half penalty kick opportunity. Despite the miss, UWA held firm in the closing minutes, weathering multiple late corner kicks from the Panthers to preserve the win.

West Alabama (1-0-0) now turns its attention to a neutral-site match in Owensboro, where the Tigers will face Illinois Springfield on Sunday, September 7, at 10:30 a.m.