No. 5 Abilene Christian Tops No. 7 Stephen F. Austin 3-1 For Southland Title
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BEAUMONT, Texas – In just their second full year of eligibility in the conference, Abilene Christian claimed the 2018 Southland Conference Soccer Tournament title with a 3-1 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Sunday afternoon at the LU Soccer Complex.
Doing what it’s done all season, the Abilene Christian defense withstood a flurry of shots just beyond the six-yard box in the 11
th minute and kept the Ladyjacks off the board through the first 45, maintaining their feat of not allowing a first-half score all season.
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the 32
nd minute, when Christina Arteaga collected a cross from Samantha Vestal, then turned and curled one into the lower left corner for her first goal of the tournament.
Just four minutes later, ACU doubled its lead as Caity Acosta trapped a clearance pass and fired one into the upper left corner from nearly 30 yards out.
Arteaga struck again in the 60
th minute after a one-time attempt on a cross from Vestal was blocked and her second attempt went past the outstretched hand of Madison Talbot to extend the lead to 3-0.
SFA trimmed the deficit to two goals in the 73
rd minute on a diving attempt from Katie Jennings with assists credited to Teia Haynes and Breanna Moore.
The Wildcats await their first-round opponent in the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced during Monday’s Selection Show.
2018 Southland Conference Soccer Tournament All-Tournament Team
Shay Johnson, Abilene Christian (MVP)
Caity Acosta, Abilene Christian
Christina Arteaga, Abilene Christian
Michelle Mulrooney, Abilene Christian
Carli Arthurs, Stephen F. Austin
Sophie Fondren, Stephen F. Austin
Katelyn Termini, Stephen F. Austin
Madison Ledet, Lamar
Sophia Manibo, Lamar
Camille Bassett, Central Arkansas
Lauren Mercuri, Central Arkansas