Despite a 1-0 defeat by McNeese in the first match of the season, the Wildcats flipped their performance for the second meeting between the two on Wednesday winning 3-1.
This win advanced the team past the quarterfinal round and will now face Central Arkansas in the semifinal.
The first and only goal of the first half came from junior midfielder/defender, Shay Johnson in the 17th minute when her teammate, senior forward Dylan Owens passed her the ball and sailed it into the back of the net for her second goal of the season.
During the second half, senior defender/midfielder Caity Acosta earned her third goal of the season when she sent a lengthy shot past the Cowgirl’s keeper after a deflection from senior midfielder/forward Sophie Standifer. Acosta doubled the score in the 58th minute, giving ACU a 2-0 lead.
Acosta said she was thrilled when she scored her third goal of the season.
“We knew one goal would not be enough against a tough McNeese team,” Acosta said. “It was a relief, but as always, one of the best feelings in the world.”
Three minutes later, McNeese got on the scoreboard with a goal from Keely Morrow, kicking the ball past redshirt junior goalkeeper Rachel Johnson.
The third and final goal came from senior midfielder Chelsea Reedy in the 63rd minute, when striking a high ball into the left corner which all but secured ACU’s spot in the semifinals at that point in the game. The goal was Reedy’s first of the season.
The Wildcats trailed 6-4 in shot attempts in the second half, and Johnson recorded six saves in the game, adding to a total of 75 saves this season.
ACU is tasked with a match against top-seeded Central Arkansas, a team that defeated the Wildcats 2-1 earlier in the season.
Johnson said the Bears will be challenging to face, but her team is ready for the match.
“UCA will be a very tough team, but I feel confident about the way our team has been performing lately,” Johnson said. “It will be a very good game and I expect it to be about regarding shots and dominance. We just have to keep our heads up in the game and keep the momentum going.”
Gametime is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday in Beaumont.
