AUSTIN, Texas - Abilene Christian's offense, which twice was blanked last weekend, erupted for four second-half goals Friday en route to a thrilling 5-3 decision over UT San Antonio on the pitch at Texas' Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Playing on the same field this weekend as the nationally ranked North Carolina Tar Heels and Ohio State Buckeyes, the Wildcats (1-2) displayed both expertise and confidence throughout the 90-minute battle. First they tied the score at 1-1 halfway through the seventh minute and later put the game away with consecutive unassisted strikes after the Roadrunners rallied to tie the game at 3-3.
"We got to see what we're capable of on offense tonight, which was exciting to watch and it's definitley something we can keep building upon," said head coach
Casey Wilson. "It was good to gain confidence in this area, although there is still plenty for us to improve on as we get ready to play UC Irvine Sunday."
ACU's five goals were its most since a September 2014 match vs. UT Pan American and the combined eight goals were the most tallied in a Wildcats' match since a 5-4 overtime loss to Eastern New Mexico way back in 2007.
Junior
Natalie Throneberry scored the Wildcats' first goal of 2015 from inside the six off an assist from freshman
Sophie Standifer less than five minutes after UTSA grabbed the initial lead when Sam Batley tapped in a Melissa Finley miss.
The score remained knotted at halftime as each side fired only six shots and attempted one corner during the first 45 minutes.
Coming out of the break Standifer put the Wildcats ahead with a 14-yard strike and less than six minutes later
Lindsey Jones angled in a pass from midfielder
Maria Gomez.
Standifer led all players with three points.
The Roadrunners were quick to counter. Lauren Hodgon assisted on a Savannah Struck goal from 10-yards back on the left corner at the start of the 62nd minute and two minutes later the match was tied at 3-3 after Olivia Nicholls redirected a shot off the foot of Cailey Elder.
UTSA's celebration promptly vanished, however, when on the Wildcats' follow-up possession,
Kate Seay beat backup goalkeeper Isabella Sanchez from inside the goalmouth for the game-winner. Sophomore
Megan Baer then provided an insurance goal at the start of the 71st minute, burying her shot from 20-yards away right in the middle of the net.
Katherine Tesno started for UTSA (0-2) in goal and allowed three of the goals in 61 minutes. She made two saves, while ACU's netminder
Kelsey Dombrowski had five in the complete-game victory.
ACU's next match takes place Sunday morning at 10 a.m. in College Station vs. the Anteaters of UC Irvine.
