ABILENE – The ACU soccer team (4-2) snapped its two-game losing streak in style Friday night at Elmer Gray Stadium with a convincing 5-2 victory over the North Alabama Lions of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Wildcats got off to an incredible 4-1 lead at halftime, and saw four different players score en route to their highest goal total of the season.
Of Note
- The game did not kick off until 7:45 p.m. due to a lightning delay in Abilene.
The Goals
- Senior
Shay Johnson tallied her second goal of the season in the fifth minute.
- Freshman
Caylen Wright scored her first collegiate goal in the 12th minute.
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Natalie Jones, another freshman, added her third goal of the year in the 15th minute, but would not be done. Jones would make an appearance in the second half as well.
- North Alabama's Shelby Wall scored the first of two goals in the 38th minute.
- Senior
Brooke Lenz beat the first half buzzer by 40 seconds with a score in the 44th minute. It was the first goal of Lenz' final season at ACU.
Brittney Harris earned the assist on the score.
- Jones tallied her second two-score game of her freshman campaign with a second-half goal in the 81st minute after a brilliant pass by fellow classmate
K'lynne Massey.
- Wall added her second goal for the Lions in the 86th minute.
The Numbers
- ACU's five goals is its highest total since Oct. 1, 2017 against Northwestern State, a game in which the Wildcats won 6-2 in Abilene.
- It was a big offensive night all around, with the Wildcats holding a slight 20-16 edge in shot attempts. ACU led 11-7 in shots placed on goal.
- Junior
Erin Smith tallied two saves in the first half, then gave way to redshirt senior
Rachel Johnson, who contributed with three saves in the second half. It was the first action of the season for Johnson.
- Jones led the way with four shot attempts, and adds to the legacy of outstanding freshman under head coach
Casey Wilson. Jones has her second two-score game of the season. She did it earlier this year against UTEP on Aug. 25.
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Christina Arteaga added three shot attempts, while Wright,
Sophie Standifer,
Jordan Michie, and
Samantha Vestal each tallied two.
- All together, 11 players tallied shot attempts, and 24 different Wildcats saw the field.
Up Next
- The Wildcats will host the Baylor Lady Bears of the Big 12 on Sunday, Sept. 15. It's a big night at Elmer Gray Stadium, with the team unveiling its 2018 Southland Conference Championship banner and honoring its six seniors. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
