Soccer Wins Conference Title, Breaks Records Against Little Rock

Sunday, November 1

Abilene, Texas

1 p.m.

Abilene Christian

8-2-8, 4-0-3

Little Rock

4-7-6, 2-3-5

Team	1	2	Final F
Little Rock	0	0	0
Abilene Christian	2	3	5

2026 Soccer UAC Conference Champions Graphic

11/1/2026 9:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Lindsey Blasingame

ABILENE — The Wildcats defeated Little Rock 5-0 on Sunday in the last game of the regular season to win the conference title. ACU outshot the Trojans 27-7, put 11 shots on goal and held Little Rock scoreless with two saves.

The Wildcats stayed undefeated throughout the whole conference slate, going 5-0-5 in UAC play, the first undefeated schedule in conference play for the team since 2011 in the Div. II Lone Star Conference, when the team went 13-0-1. That 2011 team was also the last soccer team to win a regular season title, giving this year's team the first Div. I title in ACU's history.

Sunday's 5-0 victory was the fourth time this season that the Wildcats scored three or more goals while also recording a shutout. With goals from five different goal scorers, ACU took the lead 16 minutes in and never looked back.

Gracie Kelly scored her second goal of the season and her career off a corner kick from Baylie Simon before Addison Briscoe converted her fourth penalty kick of the season for her ninth goal of the season, setting ACU's Div. I record for total goals by a freshman. The Wildcats took these goals into halftime, leading 2-0, but they didn't stop there.

The Trojans held out for nearly 30 minutes in the second half, nine shots from the Wildcats before Sophia Saludares found the back of the net for the second time this season. Charlise Smith pushed ACU to a 4-0 lead with her first career goal before Raelin Miller scored the Wildcats' fifth and final goal in the 80th minute.

"Gracie, Baylie, Bella, our backline, and our team defending continue to get better and better," head coach Stephen Salas said. "With five different goal scorers, we created some outstanding goals in a variety of ways. It was also great to see two defenders get on the scoresheet. Gracie scoring her second goal of the season further strengthens her case for Defensive Player of the Year, as well as Bella in adding another shutout with crucial saves. Addi scored her ninth goal of the season, breaking our freshman scoring record, which is another great milestone in the middle of an outstanding season for her."

Kelly scored the game-winning goal and put one of her two shots on goal. Briscoe scored on a penalty kick and led ACU with nine shots, including five on goal. Saludares finished with a goal and an assist on her only shot. Medrano played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded two saves in the shutout, her sixth of the season.

The Wildcats wrap up the regular season with 13 different goal scorers, the most since the 2018 season, and recorded eight shutouts as a team to finish as the UAC regular season conference champions.

This victory put the Wildcats ahead in the Red Division standings, but the team still had to wait on the result of the UCA-Tarleton State game. After the Wildcats finished their game, the team crowded around phones on the field to watch the final five minutes of the other game in the Red Division.

Tied 0-0 through 89 minutes, Tarleton State thought they had the win after a goal came with 23 seconds to go, giving them the Red Division title and leaving the Wildcats in second place. However, after a video review in Stephenville, the officials determined there had been a foul before the goal was scored, keeping the score 0-0 and letting ACU celebrate the conference championship after such a large victory.

"What a great game, and to win the regular-season title on that note makes it even sweeter!" head coach Stephen Salas said. "A true testament to this team's hard work, dedication, and resiliency. We played a complete game with five goals and a shutout, but more importantly, we're playing our best soccer at the right time. Going undefeated in this conference is no easy task. God continues to show up in big ways through this team, and we're incredibly grateful for these moments. We know there is still so much ahead of us, but we want to take time to appreciate and be thankful for what this group has accomplished.

UP NEXT

The Wildcats will travel to Conway, Arkansas, as the Red Division #1 seed and will play the winner of the North Alabama-Central Arkansas game after their first round bye.

ACU will kick off at 4 p.m. on Nov. 11, and the game will stream on ESPN+.