ABILENE, Texas - Andrea Carpenter's breakaway goal in the 20th minute lifted No. 4 Abilene Christian to a 1-0 win over Midwestern State in Lone Star Conference here Tuesday afternoon.

The goal was the lone damage from a sluggish start for Midwestern State which dropped to 5-3-2 on the season and to 3-3-1 in LSC play.

"They play a very distinct style," MSU coach Jeff Trimble said. "You have to pressure them and just didn't do that in the first half. We started stepping and had better chances in the second. We weren't as aggressive nor did we play as smart as should have from the beginning."

The Wildcats, who improved to 10-0-1 overall and to 6-0-1 in LSC play, controlled the run of play in the opening half as detailed by an 8-3 advantage in shots.

But ACU was only able to solve Midwestern junior goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth in the 20th minute.

"They played it through our back line and Andrea (Carpenter) got behind us," Trimble said.

Abilene Christian's Lyndsey Womack hit a striding Carpenter who beat Whitworth for the lone goal of the game.

Whitworth, the defending LSC Goalkeeper of the Year, was flawless for the remainder of the match as she made five save including a one-on-one save of Whitley Lindholm chance midway through the second half.

Meanwhile, the Mustangs battled a strong wind to outshoot the Wildcats 10-3 after intermission but were unable to put a ball past ACU keeper Elliott London who made four saves to preserve the shutout.

"I was proud of the way we played in the second half," Trimble said. "We responded well after not getting off to the best of starts."

Midwestern State opens the second half of conference play Friday night against West Texas A&M at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Mustangs closed the short two-match home stand versus Eastern New Mexico on Sunday.

"We just have to get out and play good soccer (going into the second half of LSC play)," Trimble said. "We know what's in store for us and there will be no surprises."