The Optimist

Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Brian Schmidt Midfielder Courtney Wilson fights for a ball in the air with Ouachita Baptist forward Joyce Hansen on Sunday. [Click to enlarge]

The ACU women's soccer team suffered two tough losses at home this weekend, dropping the Wildcats to 4-3 record. The losses were ACU's first at home.

ACU's latest loss was to Ouachita Baptist University on Sunday when the Lions slaughtered the Wildcats 8-1.

In the first five minutes of the game, Ouachita took a three-goal lead, leaving the Wildcats struggling to keep up. Ouachita continued to score, tacking on two more goals in the first half and three in the second half.

"We came out flat," said head coach Casey Wilson. "We gave them three scores in the first five minutes. You can't do that to a team like that."

The Wildcats out-shot the Lions 26-18 but were only able to score once when freshman midfielder Sadie Barton scored in the 35th minute of the game off an assist from freshman midfielder Courtney Wilson.

"The score didn't reflect the game," Wilson said. "Days like this are gonna happen, and how you choose to bounce back from them will define your team."

ACU's first loss was against nationally ranked Missouri Southern University on Friday. ACU lost 2-1.

Missouri Southern outshot ACU 22-15, and ACU's only goal came in the 64th minute of the game when sophomore midfielder Jordan Reese sent the ball into the center of the net.

Wilson said each game, despite the outcome, adds learning experience to the first-year team.

"We played a high-caliber team, and the girls got a chance to see how they play," Wilson said. "I think they learned sometimes when you play well you won't win. You can't make a whole lot of mistakes and beat a team like we played [on Friday]."

Despite the losses, Pertuit remains content with the hard work his team has put forth so far in the season.

"I was proud of them," Pertuit said. "They fought with all of their heart."

ACU takes to the road to compete against two other universities this weekend. The Wildcats play nationally ranked St. Edwards University in Austin on Friday at 5 p.m. and Dallas Baptist University on Saturday at 6 p.m.

"Our next opponent is the top 16th in the nation," Wilson said. "We need to be solid offensively and defensively to play them."

e-mail the Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

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