UTRGV snaps winless streak by beating ACU

The UTRGV Women’s Soccer Team broke a six-game losing streak, winning its first game in over two months by defeating Abilene Christian University 2-1 Thursday night at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. 

Two first-half goals were all the Vaqueras (6-11-2, 2-6-1) needed to beat the Wildcats (6-8-1, 4-4-1). UTRGV lost its first matchup with ACU 3-2 Sept. 26 in overtime. 

The first goal came from junior midfielder Anna Barkey in the eighth minute assisted by junior forward Emily Zapata. The second goal came in the 18th minute by Zapata, who was assisted by freshman defender Nadia Colon. 

Zapata ended the night with a goal and an assist, which increased her goal total to five and assists to two for the year.

“I think moving the ball, that’s what helped us [win],” Zapata said. “And I actually got the ball and I looked at Barkey and I knew she was gonna make that run, and I just placed the ball [for her to score].”

UTRGV head coach Glad Bugariu said he was satisfied with how his team played. 

 “I thought the first 30 minutes, we were extremely dominant, kept the ball extremely well, scored spectacular goals, didn’t really allow the opponent to have a look,” Bugariu said.  

Wildcats defender Alyssia Anuat scored in the 69th minute off an assist by forward Christina Arteaga, which gave the team energy for the last 20 minutes of the game but was not enough to tie it up. 

“We were a little flat when we came out and we spotted the other team, you know, two easy goals to start the game,” Wildcats head coach Casey Wilson told The Rider after the game. “And UTRGV, being a defensive-minded team, that’s not a good way to start the game.” 

Wilson said his team played a better second half and had plenty of opportunities but was not able to cash it in. 

Asked how the win helped the team’s morale, Bugariu replied, “Everybody’s happy with winning. You know, it’s obviously a little empty, because we’re not in a position to qualify for the playoffs but, you know, we focus on our principles, we focus on playing well.”

He said the players felt as if they should have beat the Wildcats in their first matchup and got their moment of revenge. 

UTRGV plays its last game of the season against Chicago State University at 7 p.m. Saturday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. 

The Vaqueras will have their first losing season since 2015, when they went an overall 5-12-3 with a conference record of 3-7. 

Bugariu said despite not being able to make the playoffs, he wants to finish their last homestand undefeated and give the team some sense of honor and be somewhat satisfied with their last three games. 

“We’re still excited,” Zapata said about the last game of the season. “It’s everybody’s senior day and I think we’re going with that attitude to win. … We want to win the last three games.”