Abilene Christian
Tarleton State
10/28/2026 9:58:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE — Heading into the final week of conference play, the Wildcats will host Tarleton State and Little Rock as they look to secure a spot in the UAC Tournament. ACU will also have a conference title to play for this week, despite sitting in second place in the Red Division behind Tarleton.
If the Wildcats win both of their games, they will be the outright conference champions over Eastern Kentucky and Tarleton. However, to clinch a UAC tournament berth, the Wildcats can win or tie on Thursday or await a Little Rock tie or loss.
At home this season, the Wildcats have been a force to be reckoned with, scoring 14 goals in eight games while only allowing three goals. ACU holds a home record of 3-1-4, with the only loss coming in the home opener against New Mexico State.
This strong home record comes courtesy of a durable defense, led by goalkeeper Bella Medrano. Allowing 11 goals through 16 games this season, Medrano's save percentage is .899, good for first in the conference and fifth nationally. Medrano has made 98 saves this season, 11 short of her 2025 total, which set ACU's Div. I record.
She has been named UAC Goalkeeper of the Week twice this season, while three other Wildcats have been given defensive recognition this season. Gracie Kelly, Baylie Simon and Audrey Coppinger have each been named conference Defensive Player of the Week, with Coppinger going above and beyond in her freshman season, winning in back-to-back weeks.
Kelly was also named to the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week on Oct. 20, following her performances against West Georgia and Eastern Kentucky, which included her first career goal in the 4-0 win over the Wolves.
Addison Briscoe has also been recognized by TopDrawerSoccer, ranking No. 56 amongst all freshmen nationally. Additionally, she is the only UAC freshman on the list. She also leads all players in the conference in total shots and shots on goal. Briscoe has scored eight goals this season, tying ACU's Div. I freshman record, set in 2019.
The Wildcats will face off with Tarleton State on Thursday, a rematch from Sept. 27, which the Wildcats won 3-2 in Stephenville behind goals from Sophia Saludares, Raelin Miller and Amelia Miller.
The Texans are 7-3-7 this season with a 5-1-2 conference record and sit in first place in the Red Division, just one point ahead of ACU.
After Thursday's match, the Wildcats will turn their focus to Sunday for the faceoff against Little Rock. While the Trojans currently sit in fourth in the Red Division, the two teams tied 1-1 on Sept. 24 in Little Rock.
Thursday's game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and can be found on ESPN+.
Sunday's game will kick off at 1 p.m., streaming on ACUSports.com.
