FLORENCE, Ala. – The ACU soccer team earned a very impressive victory Friday night at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex against the Lions of the University of North Alabama. The Wildcats (4-2) used an efficient offense in the first half and stellar defense throughout the night to earn a 2-0 shutout victory.
"It was a good win for us," said head coach
Casey Wilson. "We traveled all the out here to play, and we talked about the different issues to avoid on a long trip. We felt we were mentally and physically ready to play tonight in the humidity and tough environment."
ACU's third shutout of the season might have been the most impressive, as the Lions (5-2) are the top scoring offense in the nation, averaging 3.8 goals per match. The Wildcat defense was stellar, facing 11 shots on the night, and redshirt junior goalkeeper
Rachel Johnson tallied five saves en route to her fourth career shutout.
The Wildcat offense got off to an outstanding start, scoring the game's first goal in the seventh minute.
Dylan Owens was in control of the ball on the left side, and after getting in position from 18 yards away, the senior hammered a strike through the back of the net. The Willard, Mo. native picked up her team-leading third score, and has only needed five shots to do it.
ACU's lead would double late in the opening period. Junior
Brooke Lenz sent a perfect floater to the left side of the pitch off a set piece, and teammate
Samantha Vestal was there for a header. The junior tallied her first score of the season, and ACU had a lead its defense would not surrender.
"I like the goals we scored tonight," Wilson added. "Dylan [was great] moving left and shooting the back post. The set piece goal from Brooke to Sam was the one we have been wanting to execute all year. It was great to see."
The Wildcats led just 4-3 in shot attempts in the first 45 minutes, but efficiency was on their side, scoring on 50% of those opportunities. Defense took over in the second half, as the team trailed 8-4 in shots. Six of those Lion attempts came in the first 19 minutes of the period, and the defense did not budge. All five of Johnson's saves came in the second half.
"It was a great effort by our back line tonight," said Wilson. "Our center backs
Michelle Mulrooney and Brooke [Lenz] were terrific. It was a great showing."
ACU will travel to Pine Bluff, Ark. to wrap their weekend against the Lions of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff on Sunday, Sept. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. to end the non-conference schedule.
