Soccer Tops UAPB in Dominant Fashion For Third Straight Win

Sunday, September 9

Pine Bluff, Ark.

1 p.m.

Abilene Christian

5-2

Arkansas - Pine Bluff

0-3

Abilene Christian

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Photo by: Jeremy Enlow

Soccer Tops UAPB in Dominant Fashion For Third Straight Win

9/9/2018 4:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The ACU soccer team put a wrap on its non-conference schedule Sunday afternoon, and picked up its third consecutive win in the process. The Wildcats (5-2) controlled the game from start to finish against the Lions of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, scoring twice in each half for a 4-0 victory. The three-game winning streak is the longest such streak since 2016.

"I thought we settled in nicely today," said head coach Casey Wilson. "Field conditions were pretty soft and wet, but I though by the time we got to the second half we settled in and played pretty composed. UAPB was a tough team and came out to play and did not back down."

The numbers backed up the final score in this one, as ACU held a staggering 26-5 advantage in shot attempts, including a 14-3 edge in shots on frame. The Wildcats were balanced in each half, with 14 shots in the opening period and 12 in the final 45 minutes. ACU led 7-1 in corner kicks as well.

Sophomore Erin Smith got the start in goal, and picked up her first win of the 2018 season in the process. Smith recorded three saves in 59 minutes, before giving way to Haleigh Heath, and the two combined for the fourth shutout of the year for ACU.

Four Wildcats scored Sunday, and it began with two scored in a three-minute stretch. Senior Sophie Standifer scored her first goal of the season in the 28th minute with assists coming from Dylan Owens and Christina Arteaga. Moments later, Arteaga did it herself for her third score of the season, matching Owens for a team-best. ACU led 2-0 at the break, and nearly played an identical period in the second half.

In the 55th minute, senior Caity Acosta picked up her first score of the year, and the game felt out of reach at that point. ACU was not done though, as redshirt freshman Emily Heidman took a pass from teammate Hannah O'Donnell and made it 4-0, officially putting the game on ice. The goal was the first of Heidman's career, playing in just her third game.

ACU saw 12 different players record a shot attempt, led by Arteaga's four. Owens, Standifer, Samantha Vestal, and Chelsea Reedy each tallied three, while Heidman, Alyssia Anuat, and Ashley Stamps took two shots apiece.

The Wildcats will open the Southland schedule this Friday, Sept. 14 on the road as they travel to Houston, Texas to meet the Huskies of Houston Baptist University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.