Saturday, August 15
Shreveport, La.
7 p.m.
Abilene Christian
1-0
3
vs
1
Jackson State
0-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson St. | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Abilene Christian | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Photo by: Kevan Albright
Wildcats Thrash Jackson State in Season-Opening Win
8/15/2026 9:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SHREVEPORT, La. — The Abilene Christian soccer team (1-0) scored twice in the second half to secure a 3-1 season-opening victory over Jackson State on Saturday night at a neutral site.
ACU head coach Stephen Salas remains undefeated in season openers with wins in 2023, 2025, and 2026, and a tie in 2024. The Wildcats led the Tigers, who won the SWAC in 2025, in shots (14-12) and shots on goal (9-5).
Abilene Christian took control in the first half with Addison Briscoe picking up where she left off from her stellar, state championship-winning senior season of high school in the spring. Briscoe broke through with an unassisted goal in the 24th minute, notching the half's only score and marking her first college goal.
Just over five minutes into the second half Jackson State tied the match 1-1, but the Wildcats quickly regained the lead when Mikayla Abrenica was fouled in the box, resulting in a red card for a Tiger defender and a penalty kick. Abrenica, a senior who transferred from San Diego, calmly converted the PK into a goal in the 52nd minute.
ACU captain Aliyah Anderson extended the lead to 3-1 in the 69th minute with an assist by Briscoe. This goal was especially significant for Anderson, as it came in her first match since missing all of the 2025 season due to an ACL tear. Despite multiple shots from Jackson State, including a notable save by Bella Medrano, the Wildcats' defense maintained its advantage. Medrano went the full 90 minutes and finished with four saves.
COACH SAID IT
"A great team effort on both sides of the ball tonight to start our season 1-0," said head coach Stephen Salas. "To go on the road against a physical team like that, who won its conference last year, shows the early resiliency of our Wildcats. We had a lot of firsts in this contest with Aliyah scoring her first goal back, KK (Mikayla) scoring her first official goal as a Wildcat, and Addi making a statement with a goal and an assist. Bella Medrano, Gracie Kelly, and Jenna Verplancke had big performances as well in their defensive efforts. We were able to rotate in a lot of players which showed the availability of our depth. A great start to set the tone for not only our season, but the 2026-27 ACU Athletics year."
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to Abilene to start a four-match homestand against teams from the Moutain West, Conference USA, Big 12 and Southland.
The stretch at Elmer Gray Stadium begins Thursday, Aug. 20 against New Mexico State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
ACU head coach Stephen Salas remains undefeated in season openers with wins in 2023, 2025, and 2026, and a tie in 2024. The Wildcats led the Tigers, who won the SWAC in 2025, in shots (14-12) and shots on goal (9-5).
Abilene Christian took control in the first half with Addison Briscoe picking up where she left off from her stellar, state championship-winning senior season of high school in the spring. Briscoe broke through with an unassisted goal in the 24th minute, notching the half's only score and marking her first college goal.
Just over five minutes into the second half Jackson State tied the match 1-1, but the Wildcats quickly regained the lead when Mikayla Abrenica was fouled in the box, resulting in a red card for a Tiger defender and a penalty kick. Abrenica, a senior who transferred from San Diego, calmly converted the PK into a goal in the 52nd minute.
ACU captain Aliyah Anderson extended the lead to 3-1 in the 69th minute with an assist by Briscoe. This goal was especially significant for Anderson, as it came in her first match since missing all of the 2025 season due to an ACL tear. Despite multiple shots from Jackson State, including a notable save by Bella Medrano, the Wildcats' defense maintained its advantage. Medrano went the full 90 minutes and finished with four saves.
COACH SAID IT
"A great team effort on both sides of the ball tonight to start our season 1-0," said head coach Stephen Salas. "To go on the road against a physical team like that, who won its conference last year, shows the early resiliency of our Wildcats. We had a lot of firsts in this contest with Aliyah scoring her first goal back, KK (Mikayla) scoring her first official goal as a Wildcat, and Addi making a statement with a goal and an assist. Bella Medrano, Gracie Kelly, and Jenna Verplancke had big performances as well in their defensive efforts. We were able to rotate in a lot of players which showed the availability of our depth. A great start to set the tone for not only our season, but the 2026-27 ACU Athletics year."
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to Abilene to start a four-match homestand against teams from the Moutain West, Conference USA, Big 12 and Southland.
The stretch at Elmer Gray Stadium begins Thursday, Aug. 20 against New Mexico State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
JACKSON
ABILENE
Goals
1
3
Shots
12
14
Shots on Goal
5
9
Saves
6
4
Corners
3
2
Fouls
11
15
Scoring Plays
Addison Briscoe
GOAL by Abilene Christian Addison Briscoe (FIRST GOAL)
23:24
Josetiarainnah Olaco
GOAL by Jackson St. Josetiarainnah Olaco
50:37
Mikayla Abrenica
Abilene Christian Mikayla Abrenica PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 0 for season.
52:25
Aliyah Anderson
Assisted By: Addison Briscoe
GOAL by Abilene Christian Aliyah Anderson, Assist by Addison Briscoe
69:29
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Tuesday, August 04
Thursday, July 30
Wednesday, July 29
Wednesday, July 22
