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Symmank
Tim Nelson

Women's Soccer

Wildcats wrap regular season with shot at league title

ABILENE – The wild, adventurous, 2020-21 soccer regular season wraps up on Friday night at Elmer Gray Stadium as ACU gets set to host the UIW Cardinals. There is still a lot on the line for the Wildcats (10-5-2, 6-3-1 SLC), who have already clinched a spot in the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament. However, a regular-season championship is still up for grabs in the jam-packed league, as ACU is in a battle with Lamar, SFA, Northwestern State, and Southeastern Louisiana for the top crown. The regular-season finale against the Cardinals kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday night.

FOLLOW THE GAME

SOUTHLAND IMPLICATIONS

Here's how the Wildcats can win the Southland Conference regular season championship. ACU needs ALL THREE of these things to happen:

  • ACU defeats UIW
  • Lamar loses to McNeese
  • SFA loses to Sam Houston

 

If all three happen, ACU is the champion of the regular season and will be the No. 1 seed in the league. However, with the jam-packed standings, the Wildcats could finish anywhere from FIRST to SIXTH on the final weekend. ACU has already clinched a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament.

SERIES HISTORY

ACU leads the 13-year series with UIW 9-3-2 all-time. It was been nothing but success for ACU in the Division I era, leading UIW 6-0-1 since the jump up in 2013, including five straight victories. The last loss to the Cardinals came in September 2012 in San Antonio, and since then, the lone non-win was a tie in 2014 in the Alamo City. ACU leads the series 4-1-1 all-time in Abilene.

ACU STORYLINES

  • HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME: ACU is on a streak of six straight matches without a loss, including a sweep last weekend at Northwestern State and Central Arkansas. The defense was solid in a 1-0 win over the Lady Demons, and a hot offensive start was the key in a 3-2 win over the Sugar Bears. It's the best time of year to be playing your best soccer, as the conference tournament begins next week in Beaumont, Texas.
  • SPREADING THE WEALTH: The four goals scored over the weekend were scored by four different players. Jordan Michie tallied her second goal of the season at NSU, while Hannah Gage and Brianna Diaz each scored their first goals as Wildcats at UCA. Natalie Jones scored her third of the season at Central Arkansas, this one coming on a penalty kick. The three goals by three different players at UCA was the second time ACU accomplished that feat this season; the other was against Texas State in September. Overall, nine players have scored a goal this season.
  • NCAA RANKS: The Wildcats rank 19th in the country in shot attempts per game with 16.5. The team is also 34th nationally with 25 goals scored this season. Individually, Erin Smith ranks second in the country in total minutes played in net (1,645), fifth in the country with seven shutouts, and 12th in the nation with 72 total saves. Christina Arteaga ranks 25th nationally with 3.9 shot attempts per game.
  • STANDS ALONE: Smith's 15 career shutouts now moves her into sole possession of first place in ACU history. She was previously tied with Rachel Johnson for that mark, but not stands alone.

SCOUTING UIW (6-3-3, 5-2-3 SLC)

  • The Cardinals have also been excellent over the last six games, going 4-0-2 in that span. UIW tied Central Arkansas, 1-1, last Thursday, before closing the weekend with a 1-0 win over Northwestern State.
  • Hannah Walsh leads the way with four goals scored this season, but nine different players have scored for UIW. Sierra Wannamaker is the team-leader in shot attempts with 36, and 91 of the teams 198 shot attempts have been placed on frame this year.
  • Margaret Kofron is 6-2-3 in net this season, and has tallied 24 saves. UIW has shut five teams out this season, and has allowed just nine total goals this season.