ABILENE – The Abilene Christian soccer team closes out the home portion of its 2017 schedule Friday and Sunday when it plays host to Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin. The two games are slated to start at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
Sunday's contest vs. SFA marks the last time seniors
Megan Baer,
Chantal Kinsey,
Chloe Fifer,
Emily Duke and
Peyton Bucklew will take the field at Elmer Gray Stadium.
"One of the special things about these five seniors is they all got here the same time and played all four years together," head coach
Casey Wilson said. "These five ladies are all quality individuals and have bright futures ahead of them leaving ACU. I'm sure they will soak it all in with these being their last two games at home."
Against the Bearkats:
The Wildcats and Bearkats have met on the pitch four previous times before Friday's meeting. ACU holds a 3-0-1 all-time series lead over SHSU after winning last year's match, 2-0, with goals scored from
Alyssa Gerner and
Shay Johnson. Gerner finished the match with three points as she assisted on Johnson's second-half goal vs. the Bearkats.
Against the Ladyjacks:
The Ladyjacks are 4-0 all-time vs. the Wildcats. Sunday will be only the second time SFA has traveled to Abilene and first time the two teams have hit the pitch at Elmer Gray Stadium. Johnson and
Natalie Throneberry each scored a goal for the Wildcats during last season's 3-2 loss.
Coach's Quote:
"This is a big weekend overall with two tough home games and it being Homecoming at ACU. Both Sam Houston and SFA have played well this year and we expect them both to be quality teams as usual," Wilson said.
Follow Along: Fans can follow along to both matches via
web stream and live stats (
Friday vs. Sam Houston St. |
Sunday vs. Stephen F. Austin)
Quick Kicks:
- Senior day for Megan Baer, Chantal Kinsey, Chloe Fifer, Emily Duke and Peyton Bucklew on Sunday
- Junior Dylan Owens scored the game winner against UTEP in overtime, giving ACU its first victory of the season
- Owens was named Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week for October 10
- Owens leads the team with six goals, two assists and 14 points, ranking tied for seventh in the Southland in points
- Freshman Erin Smith has recorded 48 saves in 12 games
- Senior Megan Baer and sophomore Samantha Vestal lead the Wildcats with three assists each
- Sophomore Shay Johnson leads the team with 1,259 minutes this season
- The Wildcats six goals against Northwestern State is the most against a conference opponent since 2015 when ACU beat Lamar 6-2.
- 26 Wildcats have seen action on the pitch this season
- ACU has 15 returners and 15 newcomers on the 2017 roster
- This is head coach Casey Wilson's 11th year with the team. He is the architect and only head coach in program history. He also is one of 23 NCAA DI women's soccer coaches still with the team that they founded.
