ACU recorded two big wins this weekend on the road against Angelo State and Incarnate Word. The victories put them in a tie for first place with Midwestern State at top of the conference.
The Wildcats fell behind against Angelo on Friday as the Rambelles struck first. Ashley Brown scored in the 60th minute to take a 1-0 lead for ASU. Â The Wildcats would rally back by tying the game up in the 71st minute on a goal by Ashley Holton. ACU was not done yet as they continued to press the Rambelles. Andrea Carpenter then would score the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, and Katherine Garner would add an insurance goal in the 89th minute.
“After falling behind 1-0, we didn’t panic and we were able to keep our cool and play a good brand of soccer,” Coach Casey Wilson said. “That was really the first time all season we had to come from behind, and our girls stepped it up and played great.”
Sunday the Wildcats extended its winning streak to eight, as a late goal would be enough to knock off Incarnate Word 1-0. Elliott London recorded fives saves for the Wildcats seventh shutout of the season. The game went back and forth before ACU would score in the 76th minute on a goal by Kristen Cavallo.
ACU is now tied for first in the conference with Midwestern State entering the final weekend and has a game lead on Angelo State and a two-game lead on Incarnate Word. The Wildcats would have to finish with a better record than the Mustangs to host the conference tournament. Both the Mustangs and the Wildcats have two road games against Texas A&M University-Commerce and Texas Women’s University.
“This weekend is very important. We have taken the season game by game which has seemed to work for us. I think we have suprised every one in our conference so far,” Holton said. “We have worked so hard as a team to get to where we are and we are not letting anyone take that away from us.”
The Wildcats are currently fourth in the regional rankings and are looking to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in program’s history. The Wildcats will take on the Lions in Commerce Friday at 7 p.m. Â ACU will finish regular season play in Denton against TWU at 1 p.m.
“We have to win both games to give us a chance to win the division and host the conference tournament,” Coach Wilson said. “All we can do is win both of our games. The girls know we still have a lot to play for and we have no reason to be satisfied yet.”
