The No. 12 ACU women’s soccer team went 1-1 over their two games this weekend, tying Incarnate Word 1-1 in overtime Friday and beating Angelo State 2-0 on Sunday.
These games came just after the soccer team was bumped twelve spots in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America to No. 12, the highest the team has been ranked in program history.
This weekend was a tale of two completely different games for the soccer team, said Head Coach Casey Wilson. The team’s four game winning streak came to a screeching halt Friday at the hands of the Cardinals of Incarnate Word University, which it tied 1-1.
The Wildcats fired 25 shots in the contest, including 13 in the second half. UIW Goalkeeper Victoria Puentes recorded 13 saves while an attempt by Krysta Grimm hit off the crossbar in the first half. Willson said the Wildcats had plenty of opportunities for shots, but errors got in the way.
“That is our own fault. Their keeper played a great game,” Wilson said. “We didn’t play disciplined enough to win that game.”
When the Wildcats made their only goal in the 40th minute, they didn’t go by the textbook. Several players converged on the ball inside the six yard box off a corner kick by sophomore Ashley Craig and the ball went to the back of the net.
Then the head referee ruled that an Incarnate Word player kicked the ball into her own net, so no ACU player was credited with the goal.
Physicality was the theme of this game, as 26 fouls were committed in the contest. One yellow card was issued to a Cardinal player.
“UIW was really just really physical, and that threw us off,” forward Andrea Carpenter said.
The UIW defense also cause problems for the Wildcat’s offensive. The Cardinals pulled several players towards its own goal in an effort to put pressure on the ACU forwards.
“Their main game plan was to capitalize on our mistakes,” Wilson said. “They played back and when we made a mistake, they capitalized and started a counterattack quickly.”
Sunday, the ‘Cats jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back.
“We played more of our game against Angelo State,” Wilson said. “We cut down on the number of unforced errors.”
Junior Krysta Grimm continued her dominant play, scoring in the 18th minute off a Whitley Lindholm corner kick en route to a 2-0 win.
“Sunday we came out hard and passed the ball really well,” Carpenter said. “Everyone worked really hard and came ready to play.”
Grimm scored again in the 76th minute off an assist from Madison Brown, giving her five on the year.
The Wildcats (5-0-1) have shutout opponents three times this season.
The team will continue its season Friday when it travels to play Eastern New Mexico.
