BEAUMONT, Texas – Junior
Shay Johnson scored her second goal of the 2018 Southland Conference Tournament, and sent the ACU soccer team to its first tournament championship game in the process with a 1-0 victory over the #1 Bears of Central Arkansas. The Wildcats (14-5-1) used their top-ranked defense to their advantage to win on a beautiful 70-degree evening at the LU Soccer Complex. The victory avenged a 2-1 loss to the Bears earlier this season in Conway, Ark.
With the win, ACU will play Sunday, Nov. 4 at 1:05 p.m. at the LU Soccer Complex against either #3 Lamar or #7 Stephen F. Austin in the 2018 Southland Tournament Championship. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
"Tonight was a big win against a quality opponent," said head coach
Casey Wilson. "They have a ton of weapons over there, and it is not easy to contain them. But we competed really well, and we were able to get it done."
Johnson put ACU in great position to win in the 75th minute with her second goal of the tournament, and third of the season. Teammate
Brittney Harris dribbled through defenders, placed the ball down the left sideline into the encompassing shadows for freshman
Ashley Stamps, who sent it to the middle for Johnson. The First Team All-Southland midfielder connected with the ball as she was falling down and scored on the right side of the net to break the scoreless tie. The defense took over from there, preserving the shutout to advance.
The top two defenses in the league were on display; ACU leads the Southland in goals allowed per game (0.53), with UCA right behind at 0.76. The two showed why with physical backline play and speed to close gaps in a hurry. It felt as though one goal would be enough, and sure enough, that was the case.
ACU recorded its 13th shutout of the season, which improves on the program record, and ties a Southland Conference record as well. Just six teams in the history of the league have recorded 13 shutouts in a season.
The defensive slugfest began right away, as neither team recorded a shot attempt in the first 13 minutes. The Bears recorded the first attempt in the 14th minute, but ACU goalkeeper
Rachel Johnson was their first her first of three saves in the game.
ACU's first chance to score came off a corner kick in the 17th minute from senior
Caity Acosta. The veteran placed a perfect ball into the box, and after a deflection,
Sophie Standifer corralled it and fired a laser to the top of the net, however, UCA goalkeeper Lauren Mercuri got her fingertips on it to keep the game scoreless.
The Wildcats led 8-4 in shot attempts in the first half, but neither team could crack the scoreboard.
UCA had its best look of the second half in the 55th minute when Jordan Slim looked to score on a breakaway, but Johnson once again stood strong for the save.
The Wildcats held the Bears to just three offensive looks in the second stanza, and led in that category for the game 14-7, and 7-3 in shots placed on frame. ACU held a staggering 9-2 lead in corner kicks as well. Johnson's three saves brings her total to 77, and improves to 10-3-1 on the year with her ninth shutout, which leads the league.
Johnson and
Dylan Owens led the team with three shot attempts, while Standifer added a pair of shots on goal. Stamps and Harris each get credited with an assist, and the Wildcats have now scored 29 times this season with 28 assists.
"Now we have to turn the page," said Wilson. "We have to get re-focused for Sunday. But it should be a great game with whoever we play."
