ABILENE -
Abby Smith's penalty kick goal with 35 seconds remaining lifted Abilene Christian soccer to a 1-1 tie with Utah Tech at Elmer Gray Stadium on Thursday night. The Wildcats remained unbeaten at home this season, where they sport a 3-0-1 record.
As ACU made a late push to knot the score at 1,
Peyton Hill drew contact in the goal box with a penalty and was awarded a chance to even things up. Smith found the bottom left corner of the goal, just beyond the reach of the Utah Tech goalkeeper. It was her team-leading fourth goal of the season and her second penalty kick goal in three matches.
"Great resilience from the team to score in the last minute to stay undefeated at home!" head coach
Stephen Salas said. "A great finish by Abby to extend her goal form and leadership of stepping up in big moments. Peyton did a great job of going after the ball in the air that led to her drawing the penalty. A big component of the last minute of play was
Amelia Leggett earning the free kick from a breakaway, and on the ensuing free kick, she flicked it onto Peyton, which showed her relentlessness.
"All three seniors were in on the play, from a
Gracie Kelly service into the box. We improved in the second half, which saw us create more chances and have better possession."
Two of the Wildcats' 10 shots were on target, while the Trailblazers neared the goal with five of their 12 shots.
Lili Ross and
Bella Medrano each spent a half in goal for ACU, with each collecting a pair of saves. The Wildcats'
Hannah Martin and Hill totaled five shots, with one of Hill's on goal.
ACU entered halftime trailing 1-0 after Utah Tech's Lacy Fox found the back of the net from deep in the match's 23rd minute. Fox pulled up from 15 yards beyond the penalty box and snuck the ball through the top of the goal to put the Trailblazers in front.
The Wildcats upped the tempo in the second half, recording seven shots with two on target. Four of their shots were provided by Martin and Hill.
"This Sunday, we have the opportunity to honor our seniors with a pregame celebration and on the field," Salas said.
ACU returns to Elmer Gray Stadium at 1 p.m. Sunday versus Southern Utah. It's Senior Day, with nine Wildcats being recognized pregame. The match will be streamed on
WAC International.
