ACU opens WAC play with Lamar and UTRGV

ABILENE – The ACU soccer team will be the first team on campus to participate in a Western Athletic Conference event as its hosts a pair of league games this weekend at Elmer Gray Stadium. The Wildcats (2-4) continue their stretch of home games with the Lamar Cardinals on Friday night and the UTRGV Vaqueros on Sunday to close out the busy weekend. Friday night's contest kicks off at 7 p.m., while Sunday's match begins at 1 p.m. Both games will air on ESPN+.

FOLLOW THE GAMES

SERIES HISTORY vs. LAMAR

• ALL-TIME | 9th meeting (Series tied, 4-4-0)
• LAST MEETING | March 5, 2021 (LU 2 - 1 ACU) - in Abilene
• STREAK | LU, w2
• IN ABILENE | ACU leads, 3-1-0
• IN BEAUMONT | LU leads, 3-1-0
• NOTES | LU has won two straight in the series

SERIES HISTORY vs. UTRGV

• ALL-TIME | 3rd meeting (ACU leads, 2-0-0)
• LAST MEETING | Aug. 24, 2018 (ACU 1 - 0 UTRGV - OT) - in Abilene
• STREAK | ACU, w2
• IN ABILENE | ACU leads, 1-0-0
• IN EDINBURG | n/a
• NOTES | The teams played in a neutral site in 2014, with ACU winning 5-1

ACU STORYLINES

• SENIOR DAY VICTORY: The Wildcats came from behind to top Grambling last Sunday on Senior Day. After trailing 1-0 in the second half, ACU got an equalizer from Natalie Wodka and the game-winner from Caylen Wright to pull off the win, 2-1. Prior to the game, the 'Cats honored their 10 seniors.
• FAMILIAR FOE: ACU, a new member of the WAC, moved from the Southland Conference with the Lamar Cardinals this offseason. The teams will both open league play with a new conference, but against one another. Sam Houston and SFA also joined the WAC putting all four teams in the Southwest Division.
• LEADERS: Natalie Jones leads the team with two goals scored, while Wodka and Wright have the other scores. Lily Foster has recorded 36 saves in net.

SCOUTING LAMAR

• The Cardinals (3-5) are in the midst of three straight road games, and are coming off a win over Louisiana College.
• Isela Ramirez leads the way with five goals scored, while Nicole Panis has tallied 49 saves in goal.

SCOUTING UTRGV

• The Vaqueros (4-5-1) open WAC play at Chicago State on Friday before coming to Abilene on Sunday.
• Emily Zapata leads the way with four goals, while Maile Lunardi has 36 saves in net.

Follow ACU on social media:

Twitter: @ACU_Soccer | @ACUsports

Instagram: @acu_soccer | @acusports

Facebook: /acusports

#GoWildcats