HOUSTON, Texas - The ACU soccer team fell in difficult fashion to the Huskies of Houston Baptist University Saturday afternoon. The teams were originally scheduled to play at Sorrels Field Friday night, but heavy rain in the area forced the field to be unplayable, and the teams had to reschedule for a 1 p.m. Saturday start. After the long night, the defenses dominated the day, keeping the game scoreless through nearly two full overtime periods. HBU scored with just two minutes remaining in the second overtime, topping ACU 1-0.
The Wildcats (5-3, 0-1 Southland) snap their three-match winning streak, despite holding a significant lead in shots (25-6) and shots placed on goal (10-4). HBU goalkeeper Alanis Guevara tallied 10 saves, stopping every chance ACU had to get on the board.
"Regardless of what happened at the end of the game, we needed to put one in," said head coach
Casey Wilson. "Their keeper (Guevara) is very good, but we were not on frame enough. We had the ball in their goal mouth more than enough times to tap one in."
It was a 9-2 shot advantage in the first half, but ACU just couldn't find the back of the net. The ball stayed on the Husky side of the field the majority of the half, giving the defense a little break. ACU was solid defensively the entire afternoon, all the way to the end.
The second half was even more lopsided, with the Wildcats leading 13-1 in shot attempts. HBU did not record a shot until the 77th minute, and goalkeepr
Rachel Johnson stopped the lone chance at a score. The teams went to overtime, and the trend continued.
There were only three shot attempts in the first overtime, with ACU recording two of them. However, the HBU defense was up to the challenge, forcing a second overtime period. The home team won the game in the 107th minute, when Jessica Nevils scored on a header after a free kick that deflected off Johnson's hands. HBU, despite being outgained in the shot total 25-6, earned the win in the opening Southland game of the season.
"It is frustrating to control the vast majority of the possessions and to control every aspect of the game, and then lose," said Wilson. "Unfortunately, that is soccer."
ACU will return to the pitch Friday, Sept. 21 when it hosts the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana Univeristy at Elmer Gray Stadium. Kickoff on Social Club Night is scheduled for 7 p.m.
