Contributed by: Rachel Poe

After missing a weekend of soccer, due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, soccer came back strong with a 7-1 win against University of Texas–Permian Basin.

The Wildcats controlled the entire game, with 29 shots and a shutout until the very last minute. The Falcons, who are now 1-2, only had five shots against the new freshman goal keeper, Haleigh Heath.

ACU scored five times in the first half. The first two goals were less than 30 seconds apart and it all started, in the 12th minute, on a corner kick from sophomore Samantha Vestel that sophomore midfielder Shay Johnson headed home. Vestel then assisted on a strike by junior Dylan Owens, which gave ACU a 2-0 lead. The goal gave Owens the team lead with three goals this season.

In the 24th minute, senior Megan Baer finished off an Owens’ rebound that deflected off the Falcon keeper. Two more goals came within two minutes apart, by freshman Mary Moore, who booted them in the back of the net. Moore is now the 33rd player in ACU history with a two-goal accomplishment, while Vestal became the 21st Wildcat with two assists in a single match.

Baer said the team was in good rhythm on Tuesday night.

“All wins are big. Last night provided a good opportunity for our offense to get into rhythm,” Baer said. “It was encouraging to see us more in the attacking third than we have been along with every girl getting to touch the field. We are looking forward to heading to Oklahoma for our last set of preseason games.”

ACU added two more goals in the second half by sophomore Brooke Lenz and senior Chantal Kinsey. Lenz scored her first career goal from long distance and Kinsey scored the last goal in the 72nd minute, off of a penalty kick.   

The Wildcats, who are now 2-3, will finish non-conference games this weekend as they travel to Oral Roberts on Friday and Oklahoma State on Sunday.