The ACU soccer team set a goal at the beginning of the year to not look too far in advance this season and instead focus on the games directly in front of it.
They have since accomplished that goal and excelled on the field this season.
With only two conference games left on their plate, the No. 23 Wildcats (13-2, 8-1) have two pivotal matchups this week that will determine their conference tournament seeding, as well as where it will be held.
ACU is currently tied with Midwestern State atop the conference standings, both boasting records of 13-2, 8-1 on the year.
The top team in the conference will host the tournament, scheduled for Nov. 4, 5 and 7. To host the tournament, ACU will need to win both matchups and see a Midwestern loss this weekend.
“We need to win both the games this weekend to make sure we’re sitting pretty when Sunday night rolls around,” said Bree Craig, senior midfielder and captain. “Plain and simple. That way we’ll put the pressure on Midwestern to do the same and put the bat in their hands.”
The Wildcats will play at Texas A&M Commerce at 7 p.m. Friday in the first of two games this weekend. Head coach Casey Wilson said Commerce (7-5-3, 3-3-3) presents a tough matchup for the Wildcats.
“Commerce is always a very physical team,” Wilson said. “They play on a small field, and they are up there in the national rankings in goals scored against. They have a tough defense and play with a lot of attitude. We always go into their place and know we’re up against a tough team that will fight us to the end.”
Wilson said Commerce is a defense-oriented team that relies on pressure and physicality – something the Wildcat offense will have to take into consideration.
“We’ve got to make good decisions against them and have our head on a swivel,” Wilson said. “Being patient will be key against an attacking defense like theirs. We need to just look for the different avenues to tell where we can score.”
The Wildcats have done very well with scoring this year, led by freshman Andrea Carpenter and junior Ashley Holton. Carpenter is leading the Lone Star Conference in points and goals scored, and Holton is a close second in both categories.
“Whenever you play a more defensive-minded team, you have to be patient and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way,” Carpenter said.
Freshman defender Brie Buschman is part of a defense that has held opponents to less than one goal per game. She said defense will be a key to the team’s success this weekend.
“This weekend we really need to stay composed on the ball and play our game,” Buschman said. “Commerce likes to play a lot of kickball over the top, and we just need to keep the ball and make sound passes. Staying composed and not freaking out on defense are two other things we need to focus on.”
The team will travel to Denton to play Texas Woman’s University at 1 p.m. Sunday.
