110 minutes were not enough to decide a winner in ACU’s game against the University of California- Irvine, as the Wildcats ended in a 0-0 draw Sunday morning. The Wildcats move to 1-2-1 after the match in College Station.
Junior goal keeper Kelsey Dombrowski made eight saves and faced 19 shots for the game. Her eight saves are two-off her career-high of 10 that she recorded in an overtime loss last fall at Houston Baptist. The shutout is her first of the year and fifth as a Wildcat.
“Kelsey played great today,” head coach Casey Wilson said. “She made a key save in the first half on a lofted ball, and in the second half she took the ball of their attacker’s foot on a breakaway. She was very consistent throughout the game, making big saves and keeping the back line composed. She kept us in the match.”
The Wildcats were out-played in both shots (9-19) and shots on goal (4-8). They also led in fouls (12-7).
The match headed into the first overtime session tied. ACU fired two shots (and two corner kicks) during the first overtime session but neither was on frame. UCI placed two of its three overtime shots on goal, but could not convert. In the final minute of the first overtime, Dombrowski saved a UCI shot and then watched her defense clear out one of six corner kicks by the Anteaters.
“UCI was a very good team,” Wilson said. “Both teams had chances throughout the game, and we liked the way we competed and fought against them.”
Irvine had two shots in the second overtime, but Dombrowski stopped the Anteaters attempt in the 105th minute and with only two seconds remaining, UCI’s header went above the crossbar to finalize the match.
Senior Lindsey Jones and sophomore Baylee Mitchell led the Wildcats in shots with two, while each also recorded a shot on goal. Freshmen Chelsea Reedy and Sophie Standifer each recorded a shot on goal, which came in the 30th and 50th minutes.
The Wildcats will return to action Friday, Sept. 4 for their first game at home against the University of North Texas. It will also mark the first ever game to be played at the new Elmer Gray Stadium.
