ABILENE – The ACU soccer team secured a historic 2-1 victory over SMU on Saturday, marking the program’s first-ever win over a Power 4 opponent. The Mustangs, a member of the ACC, provided a formidable challenge, but the Wildcats delivered a statement performance in front of their home crowd.
SMU struck first with an early goal, but ACU responded midway through the first half when Peyton Hill found the back of the net to level the score at 1-1. The match remained deadlocked until the final minutes when Abby Smith delivered the game-winner with just two minutes left, securing the Wildcats’ milestone victory.
The Wildcats’ backline played the entire match without substitutions, showcasing remarkable endurance and defensive discipline. Meanwhile, ACU’s goalkeepers split minutes evenly, with both making key stops to keep the game within reach. Hill finished the match with both a goal and an assist, playing a crucial role in the victory.
“This is a great win for our program, and this team made history with it,” said head coach Stephen Salas. “This is just the beginning, and we’ve seen so much growth since the fall. We are looking forward to our remaining spring games, with three of them at home, including Texas Tech on April 5. We are incredibly proud of the team’s effort and poise to come together on Saturday.”
International Trip to Italy and France
Next on the agenda for ACU Soccer is an international trip to Italy and France, where the team will gain valuable experience on and off the field. The Wildcats will attend a Champions League match featuring Inter Milan, tour iconic stadiums, and conduct a youth soccer clinic as part of their community outreach efforts.
Players are privately funding their journey, and supporters can contribute by visiting this link.
Spring Schedule
ACU will continue its spring with upcoming matchups:
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March 23: vs. Ranger College and Cisco College
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April 5: Hosting Texas Tech
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April 12: Hosting Angelo State/McMurry (Alumni Reunion & Game) (Alumni event link)
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April 18: Neutral-site game vs. East Texas A&M at Veterans Park in Dallas
“We’ve set up a schedule in the spring with a well-balanced slate of games,” said Salas. “Our focus is building for the fall and to pursue a conference championship as a team. We’ve picked up some important commits and will be looking for a few more. Our staff has seen some great strides of growth this spring, and it’s important for us to keep that going into the fall. They know we still have work to do.”
Stay updated with all things Wildcats soccer by following ACUSoccer on social media.