ABILENE – Junior Christina Arteaga scored a goal in each half Friday night to get ACU off to a good start at Elmer Gray Stadium in 2019. The Wildcat soccer team moved to 3-0 on the season with a 2-0 win over the Lady Mustangs of the University of the Southwest out of the NAIA. With the win, ACU is off to its best start in its Division I era, which began in 2013.
The Goals
- Arteaga got things going right away in the fifth minute with the wind at her back. The Pflugerville, Texas native took a brilliant pass from Samantha Vestal, and struck it with her right foot just passed the keeper for the score.
- Arteaga added an insurance goal in the 68th minute off a deflection. Freshman Natalie Jones had her shot saved, and the ball went off the keeper's hands. Arteaga was there to clean up the mess for her third goal of the young season.
The Numbers
- The Wildcats tallied a remarkable 35 shots, including 17 in the first half. The 18 shot attempts in the second half came with the team going into a 17-mph wind.
- Junior Erin Smith moves to 3-0, and nearly doubled her save total for the season with five in the game.
- ACU dominated in corner kicks, 8-2, and held a 6-1 advantage in that category in the second half.
- The Wildcats and Lady Mustangs have met twice in their histories, with ACU winning both games by a combined score of 16-0.
- At times the game was very physical, with ACU holding a slight 6-4 edge in fouls forced.
- Southwest did see 15 saves from its goalkeeper Andrea Martinez, including nine in the second half.
- ACU is 3-0 for the first time in its seven-year Division I era.
- Arteaga tallied an incredible 11 shot attempts, which marks a new career-high.
- Arteaga now has three two-score games in her career, with the other two coming last season against Sam Houston State and in the Southland Conference Championship Game against SFA.
- Samantha Vestal and Sophie Standifer each recorded four shots, while Emily Heidman and freshman Natalie Jones each tallied three.
- Overall, 13 different Wildcats recorded a shot attempt.
Head Coach Casey Wilson
"It was a heavier wind in the first half, but it died down a little in the second half. We had plenty of opportunities throughout the game. Southwest was very disciplined. Their goalkeeper did a great job. Overall, they were a tough team, but I liked the opportunities we created. We have some things to clean up, but we made some adjustments, and I like the things we were able to do."
What's Next
- ACU heads to College Station for a matchup with the Aggies of Texas A&M on Sunday, Sept. 1. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. and can be seen on SEC Network+.
