HOUSTON, Texas – Abilene Christian soccer netted three second-half goals and survived multiple dangerous chances in defeating Houston Baptist 3-1 on the road Friday night at Sorrels Field to extend its winning streak to three and move into third place in the Southland Conference at 4-1-1.
The Wildcats' winning streak is their longest against Southland opposition, and longest overall since capturing six-straight decisions between Sept. 5 - 22 of 2011.
Goalkeeper
Sydney Newton made four saves on seven shots faced during a scoreless first half, and in the second half she made two additional stops before surrendering a goal to potential first team all-conference honoree Sabriah Spencer with 1:56 left in regulation.
The goal was Spencer's seventh of 2015 and ended ACU's scoreless minute streak at 283:58, which was its longest since 2011 when the Wildcats recorded three consecutive shutouts on two different occasions. However, her goal arrived way too late in the game for the Huskies, who allowed three scores between the 61st and 88th minutes.
Junior midfielder
Maria Gomez scored her second goal in as many matches, finishing a pass from sophomore
Chloe Fifer five seconds into the 61st minute and six minutes later junior transfer
Danielle Otto punched in the game-winning PK, which was her first goal since arriving at ACU.
Late in the half, the Wildcats (5-7-2) received an insurance goal from freshman
Dylan Owens off an assist from senior
Lindsey Jones.
The goal was Owens' third over the last five matches.
"We produced a good effort against a great HBU team … It was a great road win," said head coach
Casey Wilson. "All three goals were great. Chloe set up Maria nicely on her goal from the front post. It was a very composed shot and she made it look easy … Lindsey found Dylan on the third goal across the field over the top on a great ball, and I give all the credit to Dylan for handling the ball well and finishing."
HBU's Alanis Guevera allowed all three goals and was credited with four saves as ACU placed seven of 11 shots on net.
The Wildcats also surrendered a fair number of shots at 13 plus eight corner kicks, including five in the second half. HBU looked especially skilled off the corner last weekend, scoring three times in matches vs. Southeastern La. and Nicholls.
The Huskies' defeat tonight snapped a two-match winning streak and lowered their overall and conference records to 6-4-1 and 4-2.
ACU is off Sunday but will return again this way next weekend with matches at Lamar and McNeese.
