ABILENE - Needing three games to fall their way to make the WAC Women's Soccer Tournament, ACU did its part with a 2-1 victory over second-place California Baptist in the regular season finale on Sunday.
ACU (6-10-3, 2-5-3) needed to defeat the Lancers, have Utah Valley beat Tarleton State, and Utah Tech tie or defeat Southern Utah in order to leapfrog its way to the fourth and final spot in the conference tournament. The Wolverines shut out TSU in Stephenville, 3-0, meaning two of the three boxes have checked in the Wildcats' favor. The Utah Tech-Southern Utah match will be played Sunday at 7 p.m. CT.
"An incredible TEAM win at home to finish out the regular season against the defending conference champions," head coach
Stephen Salas said. "Two fantastic goals from
Emma Nylund and
Shakira Kafero-Roberts, a collective team defending effort and a great display of this team's resilience and belief.
Raelin Miller and
McCarly Holloman were key players in the game as well and continue to contribute in big moments of the match. The team really stepped up to give their best when their best was needed, together."
The Wildcats and Lancers (10-8-2, 6-3-1) tested each other's defense early on with ACU keeper
Bella Medrano recording four saves in the first half. ACU had a chance to get on the board first when a shot by
Peyton Hill hit the top woodwork in the 35th minute.
Emma Nylund broke the deadlock with a goal in the 42nd minute, assisted by
Raelin Miller, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead by halftime.
However, CBU scored the equalizer just 33 seconds into the second half through a penalty kick goal by Anja Jestrovic at the 45:33 mark.
Shakira Kafero-Roberts provided the game-winner in the 78th minute with her third goal of the season. A pass back into the box was mishandled by CBU's goalkeeper, and Kafero-Roberts, hustling the whole way, was there to snag possession, spin around and slide the ball past the keeper into the net.
UPDATE: Utah Tech defeated Southern Utah 8-1 on Sunday night, meaning the Wildcats advance to the WAC Women's Soccer Tournament as the fourth seed, and will play first seed, and host, Utah Valley on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT.
