No. 5 Abilene Christian’s Defense Holds Strong in 3-1 Win
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BEAUMONT, Texas – Shot efficiency was the name of the game for No. 5 Abilene Christian in its 3-1 win over No. 4 McNeese on Wednesday afternoon at the LU Soccer Complex. The Wildcats took just seven shots and five on frame.
While the Cowgirls came up empty on their first five shots, the Wildcats found the back of the net on their first attempt, a finish from junior Shay Johnson off a pass from senior Dylan Owens in the 18
th minute.
Led by its lockdown defense, ACU took a 1-0 lead into the break, despite being outshot 12-3 in the opening 45 minutes. The Wildcats back line forced eight of the shots outside of the frame.
ACU added to its lead in the 59
th minute, when senior Caity Acosta hammered a shot past McNeese goalie Emma Roccaforte.
Three minutes later, the Cowgirls cut the deficit in half as sophomore Keely Morrow volleyed in a corner from junior Rachel Palet. The goal was just the fifth allowed by the Wildcats to conference opponents this season.
The third goal scored in a five minute span, ACU regained its three-goal advantage on Chelsea Reedy’s first goal of the season. After winning the ball from the McNeese defender, Reedy sent a ball in from deep that went off the top bar and in.
The Wildcats (13-5-1) advance to face top seed and regular-season champion Central Arkansas at 4 p.m. Friday.