A pair of canceled matches kept the Abilene Christian soccer team from extending its three-match win streak this week. Friday the Wildcats were supposed to face Paul Quinn College and Monday they were going to play McMurry University in Abilene, however, both matches were canceled leaving ACU to open Lone Star Conference play Friday against Angelo State on a 10-day break.
After a tough 1-2-1 start, the Wildcats rebounded with wins over John Brown University, Our Lady of the Lake and Hardin-Simmons to move to 4-2-1 on the year. The first seven matches nearly completes ACU's non-conference schedule; when the Wildcats play host to the Rambelles Friday it will finish the regular season with 10 of its last 11 matches against league opponents. The last scheduled non-conference matchup is for Thursday against Dallas Baptist on the road.
ACU, in its second year, is looking to improve upon an eighth-place finish in the LSC a year ago. The team went 3-6-1 in its first year of competition with one of those league wins coming against the Rambelles.
Last season, a prolific offense often gave the Wildcats a shot to be in most matches; ACU ranked third in the LSC in goals and fourth in shots in 2007, however the Wildcats ranked eighth in team goals allowed.
Even with all the offensive weapons back on the field in 2008, the defense has been the story. The Wildcats rank first in the LSC in goals allowed with just four in seven matches and the team has pitched a league-high four shutouts. Though the offense got off to a slow start with just three goals in the first four matches, the Wildcats have posted seven goals during the three-match win streak.
ASU comes to town Friday for the LSC opener for both squads. The Rambelles carry a 5-3-1 record into the contest and are third in the conference in goals per game (2.11) and third in shots per game (16.11). Kickoff is at 4 p.m. at the ACU Soccer Field.
