ABILENE – Senior
Christina Arteaga scored a pair of goals, sophomore
Caylen Wright added one more, and the ACU soccer team scored three first-half goals on their way to a shutout win over the Nicholls Colonels Friday night at Elmer Gray Stadium. The Wildcats (8-5-1, 4-3-0 SLC) scored early and led 20-0 in shot attempts in the first half on their way to the 3-0 victory, and never let up in the second half, continuing to put pressure on Nicholls and playing sound defense. The team honored their six seniors prior to the match, and then showed up and dominated for their fifth shutout of the season.
Southland Significance
ACU started the night in a tie for seventh place in the standings, but the win gives the Wildcats 12 points and the team now jumps into third place in the ever-tight Southland Conference. The top eight teams head to Beaumont, Texas for the 2021 conference tournament.
The Goals
- 8' | Defense turned to offense rather quickly after a ball was sent from the near left side to the middle, and immediately was sent up and to the right towards Wright. The sophomore adjusted to it, drove it towards two defenders, and found enough space just inside the box. She sent one off her right foot through the left side of the net to put the 'Cats in front, 1-0.
- 13' |
Natalie Jones sent a ball to Arteaga down the left side line, and Arteaga did the rest. The senior cut left, stopped on a dime, maneuvered right and kept the ball alive and then sent an absolute laser from outside the box into the top right of the goal for the score.
- 33' |
Megan Paul and Jones each got shots off that were blocked, and the ball was deflected all the way out to the sideline. Arteaga corralled it with her back to the goal, turned down the sideline, maneuvered right, and sent a majestic, perfect ball to the upper right corner for the 3-0 lead.
The Numbers
- ACU held possession most of the game, leading 31-9 in shot attempts, including 20-0 in the first half. The 31 shot attempts is the most in a game for ACU since their 35 against SFA on Oct. 25, 2019.
- ACU led 10-3 in shots place on frame.
- The Wildcats led 4-0 in corner kicks.
- Arteaga led the way with eight shot attempts, including five on frame. Her two goals scored gave the senior her first two-score game of the season, and the fifth of her career.
- Jones recorded six shot attempts, while Wright added two, including her goal.
-
Hannah Gage,
Megan Paul,
Jordan Michie,
Alyssia Anuat, and
Natalie Wodka each tallied two shot attempts apiece.
- ACU has now beaten Nicholls a grand total of 11-0 in the last two seasons.
The Seniors
- ACU honored
Erin Smith,
Gabby Symmank,
Elizabeth Folsom,
Ashley Stamps,
Isa Sanabria, and
Brittney Harris prior to kickoff. The seniors were surrounded by their families out on the field and got a resounding win in front of their home crowd.
Up Next
- ACU wraps up the weekend on Sunday against Southeastern Louisiana. Kickoff at Elmer Gray Stadium is set for 1 p.m. The 'Cats will close the home schedule on April 9 against UIW.
