The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Sports / Motivated ‘Cats ready for weekend

Motivated ‘Cats ready for weekend

September 16, 2011 by Bryson Shake

Following a 4-0 start and week that has included jumping 12 spots in the latest NCAA national poll, one might be asking, “What’s next for the ACU women’s soccer team?” Lone Star Conference play is what’s next.

The No. 12 Wildcats (4-0) will kick off their 2011 LSC schedule Friday, hosting Incarnate Word at 5 p.m. at the Wildcat Soccer Pitch.

“This is always a fun part of the year,” midfielder Julie Coppedge said. “Starting conference play is something we always look forward to, as it is important and relevant to the goals we hope to reach as a team. We have a clean slate, and the road ahead is all we are concerned about.”

This game comes on the heels of unchartered waters for the young ACU women’s soccer program. The team, in its only fifth year as a program, was ranked No, 12 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America’s weekly poll.

For Head Coach Casey Wilson, this news serves as motivation, but nothing the team plans to hang their hat on.

“I think it’s fantastic that we are receiving some much deserved recognition for our play as of late. A lot of it comes on the heels of our great year last year,” Wilson said. “I’m glad we’re off to a quick start, but it’s a long season and this is just the beginning.”

“But, we are not going to let this define us or our play. We are still going to go put there and play like we know how to play, no matter what we’re ranked,” he added.

All-American forward Andrea Carpenter echoed Wilson, saying that while the recognition is fulfilling, it does not define the team or their play.

“The recognition is awesome and well-deserved for our team, but we don’t place a whole lot of importance on where we’re ranked. All we can do is keep quiet and play our game,” she said. “And that’s what we plan on doing.”

On a regional scale, ACU is ranked second behind No. 2 St. Edwards, and, as Wilson says, that is the number they are focused on.

“While the national poll is one people place lots of importance on, it is just a scale,” Wilson said. “The regional poll is the one we need to make sure we as a team are looking at because it determines the longevity of our season.”

Averaging 3.25 goals per game, the Wildcats are ranked 17 nationally in scoring offense. Their defense is noteworthy also, as the unit ranks among the nation’s 50 best.

Incarnate Word enters Friday’s matchup at 2-0-1 and is coming off a 3-3 tie with Truman State. The Wildcats beat Truman 4-2 last weekend.

Lead by forwards Amber Guenther and Sarah Johnson, the Cardinals offense averages 3 goals a game to giving up 1.33.

That said, the ACU defense will have their hands full with those two, and sophomore defender Brie Buschman says the only way to contain them is by communication and teamwork.

“The key to containing two forwards like these is to always be alert, to communicate with others, and by working together,” Buschman said. “If we do that, we’ll be fine.”

Angelo State plays Midwestern Friday before traveling to Abilene. The Rambelles (1-3) average 1.75 goals per game and allow 1.50 to opponents.

They are led by Brandie DeBacker and Maggie Schaffer, who each have scored three goals.

“Both of these teams present tough matchups for us. They will come out swinging and we expect nothing less than a battle,” Wilson said.

The Wildcats will host the Cardinals at 5 p.m. Friday and then play Angelo State at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Women's Soccer

Other Sports:

  • Women’s golf drives for success despite young mid-major status

  • More than money: FBS games bring in revenue, impact program

  • Realignment shakes up the WAC puzzle

About Bryson Shake

You are here: Home / Sports / Motivated ‘Cats ready for weekend

Other Sports:

  • Women’s golf drives for success despite young mid-major status

  • More than money: FBS games bring in revenue, impact program

  • Realignment shakes up the WAC puzzle

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
2 Dec

BREAKING: The internet is now up and running after a short campus-wide outage.

Reply on Twitter 1863647460322640102 Retweet on Twitter 1863647460322640102 Like on Twitter 1863647460322640102 1 Twitter 1863647460322640102
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
7 Nov

The Optimist and ACUTV partnered together to produce a 3-hour live election show on Tuesday night. A team of 25 students worked for weeks preparing while doing research and interviews with guests like Dr. Phil Schubert and Rep. Stan Lambert.

Reply on Twitter 1854352279605817812 Retweet on Twitter 1854352279605817812 2 Like on Twitter 1854352279605817812 9 Twitter 1854352279605817812

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

10 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acu #abilenechristianuniversity #privatechristianuniversity #collegestudentopinion #acuopinion ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved