Fast start pushes ACU to opening-day win

Friday, August 23

Las Cruces, N.M.

5 p.m. CT

Abilene Christian

1-0-0, 0-0-0

New Mexico State

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Abilene Christian

New Mexico St.

Photo by: Tim Nelson

8/23/2019 8:46:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The ACU soccer team jumped out to a 2-0 start in the first half Friday night at New Mexico State, and rode the early success to a 3-1 victory over the Aggies. The Wildcats added a late goal in the second half to ensure the opening-night victory for the first time since 2016.

The Goals
- Michelle Mulrooney scored the first goal of 2019 on a penalty kick in the 19th minute.
- Junior Christina Arteaga took a pass from Emily Heidman in the 27th minute and tallied her first of the season.
- New Mexico State opened the second half with a goal 58 seconds in from Shea O'Connor.
- Senior Shay Johnson added a goal in the 65th minute on an assist from Ashley Stamps.

The Numbers
- ACU outshot New Mexico State 14-4, including a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Wildcats earned nine corner kicks, including six in the second half.
- Brittney Harris earned a yellow card in the 83rd minute.
- ACU lost its opening game each of the last two seasons, with both losses coming in Waco at Baylor.

Head Coach Casey Wilson
"We are pleased with our first outing this year. New Mexico State showed to be a dangerous team with a lot of great athletic players. They will only get better. Our players executed well overall tactically and fundamentally tonight with what we have been stressing in training camp. We will enjoy the win tonight and start preparing for an always tough UTEP team Sunday afternoon."

What's Next
- ACU will head over the Texas border to El Paso to match up with the UTEP Miners of Conference USA. Kickoff is slated for Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. central time.