NATCHITOCHES, La. - Northwestern State snapped Abilene Christian's three-match winning streak Friday night at the Demon Soccer Complex after Esdeina Gonzalez headed in an overtime free kick from Patry Carrion that sent the Lady Demons to a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats.
The loss dropped ACU's overall and conference records to 4-7-1 and 3-1, while the Lady Demons improved to 6-5 and 3-1 as they rallied back from an early 1-0 deficit.
ACU senior forward
Natalie Throneberry gave the Wildcats a short-lived lead in the 15th minute, finishing a cross in the box from
Dylan Owens, but Northwestern State tied the score in the 34th minute on a strike from Cache' Haley, and won it on Gonzalez' header in the 98th minute. Gonzalez also assisted on Haley's score to finish the match with three points.
Northwestern State's victory was their first over the Wildcats in four matches, and Haley's goal snapped ACU's three-year series shutout streak that dated back to 2014.
In a bit of a statistical anomaly, Northwestern State tonight outshot the Wildcats 22-12; however, the Wildcats held a 10-5 advantage in corner kicks and had a higher percentage of shots on goal (.583 to .364). But the Wildcats were unable to finish their chances according to head coach
Casey Wilson.
"We started the game off well but felt Northwestern had better energy in the first half," he said. "We then turned the tables in the second half, and even through overtime, we had the better rate of play. Unfortunately, we weren't able to finish our chances. We had plenty of opportunities regardless of whether or not they outshot us."
Owens led the Wildcats with three shots and placed on one goal as winning goalkeeper Alex Latham came away with six saves. For Northwestern, Haley ripped four shots coming off the bench in just 52 minutes of play, while April Trowbridge fired six shots (three on goal) in a complete game.
ACU senior goalkeeper
Sydney Newton was credited with six saves
The Wildcats conclude their road swing with a Sunday 1 p.m. match at Central Arkansas. ACU defeated the Bears, 1-0, at home last season.
