Abilene Christian
Houston
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Wildcats Continue Search For First Home Win
8/26/2026 2:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE – After beginning the home season with a loss to New Mexico State University and a draw to the University of Texas-El Paso, the Wildcat soccer team hopes to win its first home game of the season Thursday against the University of Houston.
Last week, the team lost to NMSU 1-0 off an Aggie penalty kick. Sunday morning's draw took place in the heat of the day with neither team finding the back of the net. This week, the Wildcats will have to find the offense that scored three goals in the season opener.
Thursday's game against Houston is ACU's lone home game against a Power Four opponent this season and is the first since hosting Baylor on Sept. 15, 2019 who was ranked No. 22 at the time. The Wildcats drew with the Bears in double overtime in the match.
The Cougars have started the season 2-0-1, with the draw coming in the season opener at Florida Gulf Coast. The two wins have come against Northwestern State, 5-0, and Tarleton State, 4-1.
Houston was picked 10th in the Big 12 preseason poll out of 16 teams, but no individual player landed on the preseason all-conference team.
On Sunday, the Wildcats will turn to face East Texas A&M at home, a repeat opponent from last season. The Lions have started the season 1-1-1, matching the Wildcats' record so far. Their win came on the road at Grambling State, 1-0, the loss at home against Oklahoma University, 2-0, and the tie at home against Louisiana, 3-3.
In last year's matchup, the Lions beat the Wildcats 1-0 from a goal in the fourth minute. When Bella Medrano subbed in at halftime, she kept a clean sheet, but the Wildcat offense was unable to find the equalizer. Medrano has played all 90 minutes in each of the three games this season for the Wildcats.
The Lions were picked second in the Southland Conference preseason poll out of 11 teams.
The Wildcats are averaging one goal per game this season, but all three goals came in the season opener and the team has not scored since. However, the offense has attacked often, led by Nia Leslie and Mikayla Abrenica, who have each tallied six shots in the past two games. Freshman Addison Briscoe has tallied four shots in the past two games after scoring the first goal of the season for the Cats.
Thursday's game against the Cougars will kick off at 7 p.m. at Elmer Gray Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Sunday's game is currently set for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be streamed on ACUSports.com.
