THIBODAUX, La. - Freshman striker
Dylan Owens scored a goal and provided two assists to help ignite Abilene Christian's 4-1 come-from-behind victory at the Nicholls Soccer Complex Friday afternoon in Southland Conference action.
Owens hammered home a cross from senior
Lindsey Jones in the 42nd minute to tie the match at 1-1, and in the second half peppered goalkeeper Amanda Boylson with two hot shots that were punched back in by teammates
Chelsea Reedy ('66) and
Sophie Standifer ('88).
ACU (2-6-2, 1-0-1 Southland) has won its last two decisions vs. the Colonels (2-5-1, 0-2-2 Southland) by a combined score of 7-1. The four goals today also represent ACU's highest scoring output in any Southland Conference match and its most in any conference game since blanking Texas Woman's 4-0 in October of 2012.
"We were happy with result ... it was a good team win," said head coach
Casey Wilson. "They had a nice goal ('18 Mie Elvestad) from long distance early in the first half, but the way we were playing prior to their goal led us to believe it was only a matter of time before we put one away.
"Owens really provided an offensive spark off the bench, first finishing (Lindsey) Jones' cross and then getting to the goalkeeper twice late to set up the scores by (Chelsea) Reedy and (Sophie) Standifer. Jones also had a solid game with a goal and assist."
Jones' goal, which was her third of the season, held up as the game-winner after taking a pass from Standifer and firing it under the left side of Boylson, who faced a total of 20 shots (12 in the second half) and made 11 saves.
Reedy's and Owens' goals were the first of their collegiate careers, and Standifer's was her third. Owens additionally put all five of her shots on frame in just 44 minutes of play as the Wildcats overall had 15 of 20 shots on goal.
Owens' four-point performance was the Wildcats' first of the season and first since
Baylee Mitchell scored twice vs. UT Pan American last season. Owens also was the first Wildcat with two assists in a single match since junior
Alyssa Gerner delivered a pair in ACU's 3-0 win over Northwestern State last Oct. 10.
The Wildcats limited Nicholls to 13 shots and three corner kicks, defensively, while junior goalkeeper
Sydney Newton came away with eight saves. All-conference forward Spencer Valdespino led her side with four shots and placed two on goal.
The Wildcats return to action Sunday at 1 p.m. vs. Southeastern Louisiana, which currently leads Incarnate Word 4-0 late in the first half.
