ABILENE - The ACU women's soccer team celebrated its nine seniors in style with a 4-0 win over Southern Utah at Elmer Gray Stadium on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
The Wildcats (5-7-1 overall, 1-2-1 in conference) earned their first WAC victory in their last 18 tries, and also kept their home unbeaten streak alive as they now hold a 4-0-1 record in Abilene.
"A great team win to honor our seniors on Senior Day! We put together two strong halves in scoring multiple goals and earning a shutout," said ACU head coach
Stephen Salas.
ACU began the scoring in the 24th minute when
Baylie Simon sent a penalty kick to the lower right corner of the net to give the Cats the initial edge. It was the junior's first career goal. Six minutes later, sophomore
Raelin Miller extended the lead to 2-0 off an assist by
Emma Nylund.
The Wildcats kept the scoring going in the second half with a quick one-two punch.
Peyton Hill assisted on an
Amelia Leggett goal in the 47th minute, and two minutes later
Shakira Kafero-Roberts scrambled and pushed the ball past the keeper for a 4-0 advantage. Grad student
Abby Smith was credited with the assist.
This performance marked the first time ACU has scored at least 4 goals in a game since September 14, 2023, when they achieved a 6-0 win over Prairie View A&M.
ACU goalkeepers
Lili Ross and
Emma Konsmo combined for the shutout as both played one half of action. Ross grabbed four saves in the first half, while Konsmo recorded six saves in the second half.
"We saw a lot of what we've been working on and taking about come into play," said Salas. Our seniors
Emma Konsmo,
Hannah Vetromile,
McCarly Holloman,
Lili Ross,
Emma Nylund,
Amelia Leggett,
Abby Smith,
Hannah Martin, and
Peyton Hill continue to lead this team to new heights and will leave a lasting legacy. This game was the culmination of playing for one another as we strive for a purpose greater than ourselves. We know there's big things ahead!"
The next challenge for the Wildcats takes them to nearby Stephenville where they will face Tarleton State on Friday, Oct. 10. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Tarleton Soccer Stadium.
The Wildcats will then take a road trip for two games in Utah before finishing the regular season with three straight matches at home: Saturday, Oct. 25, vs. Tarleton; Thur., Oct. 30, vs. Utah Valley; and Sunday, Nov. 2, vs. California Baptist.
