Joss delivers in OT for gigantic home win
10/22/2021 10:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE – Senior Laura Mauldin tied the game in the second half, and Ellen Joss won the game in overtime Friday night in a crazy game at Elmer Gray Stadium. In a must-win game to keep themselves afloat in the league standings, the ACU soccer team (5-7-1, 3-3-1 WAC) delivered in a big way, earning its biggest win of the season against Sam Houston, 2-1 in overtime. After a scoreless first half, both teams got on the board with incredible goals in the second before the game was sent to overtime. Joss did the rest, and ACU gets a huge home win to move to 10 points in the league's southwest division standings.
"It was a good win tonight," said head coach Casey Wilson. "I don't know what we have to do to score goals, but we had some quality looks tonight that just didn't go in. I'm glad we were able to get two to go in tonight. It was good to see that happen."
WAC Implications
- SFA has already won the regular-season championship and have locked up the No. 1 seed in the division.
- Lamar sits in second place with 13 points.
- Sam Houston is still in third place despite the loss with 12 points.
- ACU is right back in the thick of it with 10 points, and can now continue to climb the latter in the standings with three games to play.
The Goals
- 65' | After a cross from Alexis Truitt, Landri Townsend scored to put Sam Houston in front, 1-0.
- 70' | Christina Arteaga drove on the left side and attempted a rocket of a shot from outside the box, and the deflection went off of a Sam Houston player and popped straight up in the air and Laura Mauldin stayed with the play. The senior timed it perfectly and sent one directly from the air off her foot to the back of the net to tie the game.
- 91' | Iin the first minute of overtime, Caylen Wright drew a foul just outside the box to set up a set piece. Ellen Joss took the shot, and sent an absolute perfect ball from the right side to the upper left corner of the net for the win.
The Numbers
- ACU led 19-12 in shot attempts, including an ever-so-slight 8-7 edge in shots placed on goal.
- The Wildcats led 12-3 in corner kicks, and held the ball for 60% of the contest.
- Lily Foster had six saves, three in each half, and played tough behind a great back line for ACU.
- Emily Heidman was on the attack a lot in the game, tallying a team-high four shot attempts, placing two on frame.
- Joss, Arteaga, Mauldin, and Natalie Wodka each recorded three shot attempts.
Up Next
- The Wildcats close the weekend with a matchup against the conference champions, SFA. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Elmer Gray Stadium, and the game will air on ESPN+. It is the final home game of the season for ACU.
Follow ACU on Social Media
Twitter: @ACUsports | @ACU_Soccer
Instagram: @acusports | @acu_soccer
Facebook: /ACUSports
"It was a good win tonight," said head coach Casey Wilson. "I don't know what we have to do to score goals, but we had some quality looks tonight that just didn't go in. I'm glad we were able to get two to go in tonight. It was good to see that happen."
WAC Implications
- SFA has already won the regular-season championship and have locked up the No. 1 seed in the division.
- Lamar sits in second place with 13 points.
- Sam Houston is still in third place despite the loss with 12 points.
- ACU is right back in the thick of it with 10 points, and can now continue to climb the latter in the standings with three games to play.
The Goals
- 65' | After a cross from Alexis Truitt, Landri Townsend scored to put Sam Houston in front, 1-0.
- 70' | Christina Arteaga drove on the left side and attempted a rocket of a shot from outside the box, and the deflection went off of a Sam Houston player and popped straight up in the air and Laura Mauldin stayed with the play. The senior timed it perfectly and sent one directly from the air off her foot to the back of the net to tie the game.
70' | GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Wildcats find the equalizer!
— ACU Soccer (@ACU_Soccer) October 23, 2021
📺 https://t.co/CyB8kZMJnO#SACRFCE | #GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/lLnT2Uov4D
- 91' | Iin the first minute of overtime, Caylen Wright drew a foul just outside the box to set up a set piece. Ellen Joss took the shot, and sent an absolute perfect ball from the right side to the upper left corner of the net for the win.
.@ellenjoss! Upper shelf! Cats win it OT! #SACRFCE | #GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/gqYThPM0BA
— ACU Soccer (@ACU_Soccer) October 23, 2021
The Numbers
- ACU led 19-12 in shot attempts, including an ever-so-slight 8-7 edge in shots placed on goal.
- The Wildcats led 12-3 in corner kicks, and held the ball for 60% of the contest.
- Lily Foster had six saves, three in each half, and played tough behind a great back line for ACU.
- Emily Heidman was on the attack a lot in the game, tallying a team-high four shot attempts, placing two on frame.
- Joss, Arteaga, Mauldin, and Natalie Wodka each recorded three shot attempts.
Up Next
- The Wildcats close the weekend with a matchup against the conference champions, SFA. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Elmer Gray Stadium, and the game will air on ESPN+. It is the final home game of the season for ACU.
Follow ACU on Social Media
Twitter: @ACUsports | @ACU_
Instagram: @acusports | @acu_
Facebook: /ACUSports
#GoWildcats
Team Stats
SHS
ACU
Goals
1
2
Shots
12
19
Shots on Goal
7
8
Saves
6
6
Corners
3
12
Fouls
8
6
Scoring Plays

Landri Townsend (4)
Assisted By: Alexis Truitt
GOAL by SHS Townsend, Landri Assist by Truitt, Alexis.
65:28

Laura Mauldin (2)
Assisted By: Christina Arteaga
GOAL by ACU Mauldin, Laura Assist by Arteaga, Christina.
70:17

Ellen Joss (1)
GOAL by ACU Joss, Ellen.
91:46
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | Feb. 23, 2026
Monday, February 23
ACU Men's Basketball: Brette Tanner Press Conference | Feb. 23, 2026
Monday, February 23
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | Feb. 23, 2026
Monday, February 23
ACU Men's Basketball: vs. Southern Utah postgame | Feb. 21, 2026
Sunday, February 22




















