The women’s soccer team returned this weekend from Joplin, Mo. 2-2, after a 2-0 loss to Nebraska-Kearney and a 2-0 victory against Missouri Southern.

“Friday’s match was more frustrating than anything,” said head coach Casey Wilson.

The ‘Cats came off to a slow start, perhaps unable to shrug the rain delay of more than three hours. When the game finally began, ACU was held to only three shots in the first half.

“We had to play in wet circumstances,” Wilson said. “It wasn’t really a game we could measure our performance on because of the frustrating overall experience of it all.”

In the 37th minute, Mckinzie Rieber sailed one in for the Lopers, making the score 1-0.

The Wildcats came back after halftime, ready to make a comeback. Senior midfielder Julie Coppedge had four shots, Senior forward Krysta Grimm had two, and freshman Elizabeth Bontke had one.

But the ‘Cats were faced with goalkeeper Marissa Niday, who seemed unstoppable in Friday’s game despite 11 shots on goal and eight corner kick opportunities.

With only  seconds remaining Rieber attacked again, making the final score 2-0.

“It was bad circumstances, but the girls were able to bounce back from it,” Wilson said. “We had to adapt to the conditions of the field. I don’t think it effected the girls too much, they did a good job and came back to play on Sunday.”

ACU returned to the field Sunday determined for a win against Missouri Southern.

In the opening minutes of of the game, Coppedge took a shot, hitting the crossbar and bouncing back. But Grimm returned it, firing one striaight into the net. Grimm also had the Wildcats second goal in the 78th minute, assisted by junior midfielder Ashley Craig.

“We did a good job playing to our strenghs and coming up with a game plan,” said Wilson. We made more opportunities to score, and that was one of our goals going forward.”

The Wildcats definitely shot more in this game. Lions goalkeeper Abby Risner made five saves in the match.

Missouri Southern shot six of their 13 total shots in the last 20 minutes of the game, but none went past the Wildcat defense led by Arielle Moncure, senior goalkeeper for the ‘Cats. Moncure finished the match with six saves, and her second shutout of the season.

“She’s been really solid for us,” Wilson said. “Towards the end of the game she had more action than we wanted her to, but she definitely was able to save those shots and finish out the game.”

The ‘Cats begin conference play this weekend in San Antonio against Incarnate Word on Friday at 7:30 p.m. They also play Angelo State in San Angelo on Sunday at 1 p.m.