Women's Soccer | 10/27/2016 10:26:00 AM
Incarnate Word:
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ABILENE - Abilene Christian soccer reaches the end of its season Friday at Incarnate Word for the 11th match in the all-time series between longtime rivals. Kick off at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium is 7 p.m.
The Wildcats lead their series with the Cardinals, 5-3-2, but haven't won a game at UIW since October of 2011. ACU battled Incarnate Word to a 1-1 tie there two seasons ago, and last season the Wildcats posted the biggest win in series history with a 4-0 triumph.
Despite their overall record of 4-10-2, ACU head soccer coach
Casey Wilson knows the Cardinals are much better than their record indicates and points to their sizeable conference wins over Sam Houston State (4-1) and Nicholls (3-0) as evidence. UIW also edged a Southeastern Louisiana team, 2-1, that has won two of the last three Southland Conference tournament championships.
The Wildcats come into this weekend at 8-8-2 overall and 7-2-1 within the Southland Conference. A victory would be huge for the program as it would give ACU its first winning season since 2013 and its highest number of wins against the league. The Wildcats could also finish as high as second place if their win over UIW is coupled with losses by Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State.
ACU experienced a 1-1 road trip last weekend as the Wildcats followed a 3-2 loss at SFA with a 2-0 win at Sam Houston State, which was their seventh shutout of the season. Senior goalkeeper
Sydney Newton made seven saves on 20 shots in lowering her goals-against average to 0.88.
Newton ranks second in the conference in GAA, save percentage (.849) and shutouts (6).
With three points Friday at SFA, senior forward
Natalie Throneberry moved into the conference's assist leaderboard with five, and freshman
Shay Johnson's two goals placed her 10th among all league players with .385 goals per game.
Junior midfielder
Chloe Fifer remains second ranked with seven assits and .412 assists per game, and is tied for third with two game-winning goals.
