ACU improved on a good start to the season last Friday, defeating St. Mary’s 5-0 in San Antonio. ACU improves to 3-0-0 for the season and has still not surrendered a goal.
The Wildcats’ performance earned ACU its third victory and shutout of the season. ACU has now outscored its opponents 10-0 in three matches. The offensive outburst is impressive, considering they only scored 23 goals in 19 matches last season. ACU is well on its way to shattering that number this season.
“We have been stressing passing this year. This has allowed us to create opportunities to score,” Coach Casey Wilson said. “It comes down to the little things, such as passing. We can still improve, but we have done a pretty good job so far this season.”
ACU controlled the match from the beginning, when Courtney Wilson started the game off scoring in the seventh minute on a penalty kick. Andrea Carpenter added to the cause, scoring her first of two goals in the 35th minute. Jacey Ferrara scored her first goal of the season right before the half ended, giving the Wildcats a commanding lead at the half.
“I felt like after we were able to get the momentum on the first goal, we took control of the game,” Wilson said. “I felt that we were faster than they were upfront, and our defense was able to neutralize their offense.”
In the second half, Roxy Marsh added a goal in the 67 minute, before Carpenter put the game away, scoring her second of the day in the 72 minute. Carpenter’s goal would be the last one for the Wildcats as they won the match 5-0. Carpenter now leads the team with 4 of its 10 goals this season.
“I think our offense has done really well so far this season,” Carpenter said. “Ashley Holton has done a great job at distributing the ball from the middle and we are meshing well as a unit. I think it is going to be a great year.”
ACU defense and goalkeeping remained perfect as Elliott London stopped four shots in the first half, and Arielle Moncure stopped two more in the second. The combined effort earned the Wildcats a team shutout. This was the second combined shutout for the Wildcats this season.
The Wildcats will be back in action next Thursday where they will once again be on the road. ACU will travel to Dallas to take on Dallas Baptist for another non-conference match.
