ABILENE – The ACU soccer team kept its unbeaten streak alive Sunday afternoon at a hot Elmer Gray Stadium, scoring early and often against the Sugar Bears of Central Arkansas. The Wildcats (8-2-2, 4-0-1 SLC) put the ball in the net three times in the first half, and added one in the second to earn a 4-1 victory to remain undefeated in league play. Since its loss to Texas Tech on Sept. 6, ACU is 5-0-2.
The Goals
- 4' | Junior
Brittney Harris gave the Wildcats the lead early. After a foul on UCA, Harris lined up for a free kick, and sent a perfect ball to the top right corner for her first career score.
- 19' | ACU scored against itself after a corner kick resulted in a shot attempt that was blocked by goalkeeper
Rachel Johnson. After the ball went off her hands, the Wildcats tried to clear it, and it deflected back off of Johnson and went into ACU's net.
- 30' | Sophomore
Ashley Stamps benefited from a beautiful pass from
Samantha Vestal. Vestal moved down the left side, sent the ball to the middle, where Stamps gathered and scored for her first of the 2019 season.
- 34' | Junior
Christina Arteaga did her thing once again. Arteaga took over possession and dribbled through defenders to find a seam. The Pflugerville native somehow found a spot to send one through the top corner for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
- 53' | Freshman
Caylen Wright added the third score of her young career after she found a spot in the Sugar Bear defense as well. Wright used her athleticism to thread the needle for the final score of the game.
The Numbers
-
Christina Arteaga moved into second all-time in ACU history with 59 total points. Arteaga ties former teammate
Dylan Owens, who played from 2015-18.
- Arteaga also stands alone in second place with 24 career goals. She is still a ways back of
Andrea Carpenter, who leads ACU with a remarkable 56 career scores.
- ACU led 26-17 in shot attempts, including a 14-3 lead in shots placed on goal.
- UCA earned a 9-5 edge in corner kicks and 10-3 in saves.
-
Samantha Vestal's four shot attempts led ACU, while Arteaga,
Brittney Harris, and
Jordan Michie each tallied three.
Shay Johnson,
Emily Heidman,
Sophie Standifer,
Ashley Stamps, and
Natalie Wodka each recorded two shots.
-
Rachel Johnson earned her 16th career win, moving her into fourth place in ACU's history.
Up Next
- The Wildcats will hit the road for three straight games, starting with a date in Corpus Christi, Texas with the Islanders of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi next Friday, Oct. 11. ACU continues the trip the following weekend on Friday, Oct. 18 in Beaumont, Texas against the Lamar Cardinals. The final road game of the stretch will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20 in Lake Charles, La. against the McNeese Cowgirls.
