HAMMOND, La. – Abilene Christian's Caylen Wright scored on a header with 12 seconds left in regulation as ACU stunned the Southeastern Louisiana soccer team, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Strawberry Stadium.
                                                     
The Lady Lions (1-8-1, 0-3 Southland) fought valiantly from the opening kickoff as they battled the Wildcats, the reigning Southland Conference Tournament champions, with ferocious intensity.
 
ACU (7-2, 3-0 Southland) had scored 18 goals in their previous four matches including outscoring Southland Conference opponents, 12-1. The Wildcats defeated conference foes Houston Baptist, 4-1, and Nicholls, 8-0, in their previous two matches entering Sunday's match. ACU also tied 22^nd-ranked Baylor last week, 1-1, at home.
 
SLU's defense held the Wildcats to 14 shots after ACU had attempted 36 against both HBU and Nicholls. The Lady Lions finished the match with nine shots
 
In the first half both teams were unable to get good looks at the goal but ACU out-shot SLU, 7-4 in the first half.
 
The match appeared to be headed for overtime when one call changed the outcome. In the 84^th minute SLU's Darby Gillette was whistled for her second yellow card, resulting in a red card and forcing the Lady Lions to play shorthanded the rest of the match.
 
Despite playing 10 vs. 11 for the final six minutes, Southeastern did not throw in the towel. The Lady Lions continued to attack the Wildcats' defense as the clock wound down.
 
With SLU down a player and just 15 seconds remaining in regulation, the Wildcats got a chance in front of the Lady Lions goal and in a frantic scramble, Wright was able to head the ball into the back of the net with just 12 seconds left.
 
"I thought it was a really tough call," said third-year SLU soccer head coach Chris McBride. "It wasn't necessary at all for her to get the card. It wasn't a malicious tackle. She didn't do it with intent or purpose, she simply lost her balance. But I thought the entire team played like warriors for 90 minutes. It's just really tough to lose like that."
 
Freshman Ellie Williams led the Lady Lions with three shots. The Frisco, Texas native leads the team with 14 shots for the season. Gillette finished with two shots in 47 minutes prior to the second yellow card.
 
Southeastern's goalkeeper, Nadine Maher, again, had a terrific game. The junior from Dublin, Ireland saved seven shots.
 
Sunday's loss was the third consecutive 1-0 decision the Lady Lions have dropped in Southland Conference play. SLU lost to McNeese 1-0 Sept. 22 and by the same score Friday to the University of Incarnate Word.
 
The Lady Lions will be back in action next week as they hit the road to face Houston Baptist (2-5, 0-1 Southland) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (4-5-1, 1-1-1 Southland).
 
SCORE ONE MORE CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the women's soccer program are encouraged to join the Score One More Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. All membership fees and donations to Score One More Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern soccer program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
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