The ACU wildcats won both of their home games this weekend, 1-0, against Southeastern Louisiana University and Nicholls State University.
ACU got their first Southland conference win Friday night when freshman Ashleigh Stamps scored in the 81st minute.
It was a rainy game for the Abilene Christian, as it was off and on the entire game, with wind blowing 15 mph.
The one and only goal of the game was scored, when senior Caity Acosta threw the ball in the ball to junior Samantha Vestal, who then passed it to sophomore Christina Arteaga. Arteaga went one-on-one with the defender and found a spot where she then sent the ball to Stamps. Stamps used one touch to get around the defender and then she launched a rocket shot with her left foot into the back corner of the net. The SLU keeper, Nadine Maher, barley missed the ball giving the rookie her second career goal.
Stamps said it was an amazing feeling scoring, especially considering the weather conditions.
“The build up play to the goal was very much a team effort,” Stamps said, “It was just a matter of getting the shot off.”
The Wildcats had several players with many shots. Arteaga had eight, junior Brooke Lenz had six and Vestal had four.
Sophomore Erin Smith was in the net and had a total of five saves that night.
On Sunday afternoon, the Wildcats fought hard to stay undefeated at Elmer Gray stadium. The Wildcats beat the Colonels of Nichols University 1-0, for their fourth 1-0 win of the season. ACU has a total of six shutouts this season.
It was not until the 56th minute, when senior Dylan Owens scored. The ball came from freshman Alyssia Anuat, who sent a perfect cross for Owens to finish it for her fourth goal of the season and 22nd of her career.
Erin Smith was in the goal again and did not face a single shot on frame.
Arteaga and Stamps led with a total of four shot attempts, Vestal and sophomore Brittany Harris had three shots each. Anuat, junior Megan Paul and freshman Laura Mauldin had two shots each.
“This week we are going to push the standard and make each other better,” Stamps said, “So we are prepared for our next two opponents.”
The Wildcats hit the road to take on the Bears from the University of Central Arkansas Friday at 1 p.m. The Wildcats then face the Demons of Northwestern State University on Sunday at 1 p.m.
