The women’s soccer team secured its fifth place seed in the Lone Star Conference post-season tournament in a 2-0 victory over Midwestern State Friday afternoon.
It was the second time that the ‘Cats have met the Mustangs this season, finishing in a 1-1 tie in double-overtime in Witchita Falls back in September.
But the Wildcats were searching for a victory this weekend, and came out with a much-needed win.
“We have been cutting down on our unforced errors which were hurting us throughout the season,” head coach Casey Wilson said.
Junior forward Andrea Carpenter scored the first goal for the ‘Cats in the 31st minute off of an assist from senior midfielder Julie Coppedge. It was Carpetner’s fifth goal of the season.
The Wildcats’ second goal came in the 56th minute following a blocked shot by Mustang goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth. Senior defender Stephanie Heron intercepted the deflected shot by
Carpenter, and fired it back in the goal to secure ACU’s victory. It was Heron’s first goal of the season.
“Stephanie did a great job of being in a position to finish that ball,” Wilson said. “Anytime you can get a second goal to have a little cushion really makes the other team press.”
The Mustangs barely challenged the ‘Cats, only placing one shot on goal. But Wildcats senior goalkeeper Arielle Moncure dove for the save, ensuring her sixth shutout of the year.
“All throughout the season we were struggling, both the players and the coaches knew that all we needed was a spark to get us going,” Wilson said.
“It wasn’t that we were playing bad, but it was more that the breaks were not there. When we started to get more confidence, the chances started coming more frequently. The more chances you have the more likely you are to score.”
The Wildcats will return to action this weekend at the start of the LSC post-season. Their first match will again be against Midwestern State.
ACU has played the Mustangs 12 times, more than any other team in the conference and has won five out of the seven meetings.
Four of these matches have taken place in the post-season tournament, including meeting twice in the championship game.
The ‘Cats first game in the tournament is at 2:30 in Canyon.
“A good amount of the team has experience in post-season play and the goal is to take one game at a time,” Wilson said. “We know MSU is going to be up for the game Thursday, and if we continue to play our game, you never know what we may be capable of doing this weekend.”
