CEDAR CITY, Utah - Abilene Christian soccer dropped a narrow 1-0 decision to Southern Utah at Thunderbird Soccer Field on Thursday night.
The Wildcats saw their three-match unbeaten streak snapped despite a nine-save performance by
Bella Medrano over 90 minutes in goal. The freshman faced 20 shots by the Thunderbirds, 10 of which were on target. Medrano's nine saves tied for her third-most in a match in her rookie season.
ACU tallied eight shots, six of which were on goal.
Peyton Hill and
Amelia Leggett combined for five shots, with both of Leggett's being on target. Defenders
McCarly Holloman,
Gracie Kelly and
Baylie Simon each played for the entire 90 minutes.
The Wildcats' defense stepped up in the second half, limiting Southern Utah to seven shots after it recorded 13 in the first 45 minutes. The Thunderbirds took no corner kicks following the break after registering six in the first half.
"It took us some time to settle in tonight, and that slow start put us on our heels early," head coach
Stephen Salas said. "Once we regrouped in the second half, we played with the energy, pace and purpose that we know we're capable of. We created quality chances, connected better in possession and showed the resilience and belief that define our team."
Southern Utah netted what proved to be the match-winning goal in the 22nd minute, as Dakota Hansen found the back of the net off an assist from Nao Yasuda.
"While the result didn't go our way, there are positives to take from our response in the second half," Salas said. "Credit to SUU for executing their game plan well. This conference continues to show that every match requires full focus, as any team is capable of beating another on a given night."
ACU looks to bounce back versus Utah Tech in St. George, Utah at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Wildcats and Trailblazers tied, 1-1, when they met in Abilene on Oct. 2.
