Medrano Shines As Conference Frontrunners Draw

Sunday, October 18

Abilene, Texas

12 p.m.

Abilene Christian

7-2-6, 3-0-2

Eastern Kentucky

8-5-3, 4-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Eastern Kentucky	0	1	1
Abilene Christian	0	1	1

Charlise Smith dribbles down the sideline in a game against Central Arkansas on Oct. 4, 2026.

Photo by: Dion Thorpe

Medrano Shines As Conference Frontrunners Draw

10/18/2026 3:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Lindsey Blasingame

ABILENE — The Wildcats tied Eastern Kentucky 1-1 on Sunday in a matchup between the two UAC division leaders. ACU finished with an 18-17 edge in shots, while the teams combined for 17 shots on goal and 14 saves.

Bella Medrano remained strong from the goal line, adding seven saves to her season total, putting her at 94 saves through 15 games. Medrano has a .904 save percentage, putting her in fourth place in NCAA Div. I soccer.

The Wildcats and Colonels played the first half evenly, with EKU taking seven shots and ACU recording six, but with none ending in a goal, the teams headed into halftime tied 0-0.

Soon after halftime, the Wildcats found the scoresheet first with a Raelin Miller goal off a pass from Baylie Simon for Miller's second goal of the season, giving Simon her fourth assist.

The Wildcats had a chance to go up 2-0 in the 72nd minute, but EKU's goalkeeper saved Sophia Saludares' penalty kick before the Colonels used the momentum from their goalkeeper to even the score 1-1 in the 75th minute on a shot that flew just over Medrano's glove.

Raelin Miller was determined to find the back of the net as she led the team in total shots with four, while Nia Leslie followed close behind with three. Medrano played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded seven saves while Simon tallied an assist for her point in the match.

The draw moved ACU to a 5-0-4 unbeaten streak since the team's last loss on Sept. 3, tying the longest as a Div. I program, when the Wildcats started the 2013 season 8-0-1. ACU also remains atop the Red Division of the UAC with 15 points.

"Good to earn points against the top team on the other side of the division and for us to remain in first overall," head coach Stephen Salas said. "At times, this felt like a UAC championship game, and it was a valuable test for our team in front of a great crowd. We were grateful to have so many local soccer teams out. Raelin did a great job scoring off Baylie's pass, and our defense stood strong, especially in the closing minutes. We had 2–3 prime opportunities to extend our lead but didn't capitalize on our chances or manage the game as well as we needed to. After the missed penalty and other opportunities in front of goal, momentum shifted toward EKU, who scored a great goal. All credit to EKU, and credit to our players for responding well. We have to be more clinical and put games away when we have the opportunities. We will look to refine those and we're excited for our last regular season games."

UP NEXT

Abilene Christian soccer team travels to Conway, Arkansas, to face Central Arkansas for the second time this season on Sunday, Oct. 25, at noon at the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex, streaming on ESPN+.

The Bears hold a 4-2-1 record, most recently winning 2-0 over North Alabama. The last time ACU faced off against UCA, the teams tied 1-1, with Addison Briscoe finding the goal for the Wildcats.