CONWAY, Ark. – The ACU soccer team saw their two-match winning streak come to an end Friday night at the hands of the Bears of the University of Central Arkansas. The home team scored twice in the final 45 minutes to top the Wildcats, 2-1, despite a late goal for the visitors. All three scores came in the second half after a scoreless first 45 minutes.
"Central Arkansas was a solid team and were tough on both sides of the ball," said head coach
Casey Wilson. "I thought we competed well throughout the 90 minutes, but we just fell short. All we can ask in any loss is whether we had chances to score, and we did have some clear opportunities tonight."
In the prior two games last weekend in Abilene, the Wildcats averaged 24.5 shots per contest. However, that changed Friday in a much more defensive game. ACU (7-4, 2-2 Southland) recorded eight total shots to UCA's 12, but still found a way to give themselves quality opportunities. Of the eight shots, five were placed on frame. The lone goal just came too late after being down 2-0.
After a scoreless first half, UCA (7-3-1, 2-1 Southland) broke through in the 56th minute when Bria Williams took a pass from Jordan Slim, and after controlling the ball on the left side, made a move right and back left, and sent a perfect shot past ACU goalkeeper
Erin Smith. The Bears would put the game away late in the match.
With just five minutes remaining in regulation, UCA's Camille Bassett sent a shot from right to left from eight yards out to sneak one past Smith and put the game on ice. However, ACU had a little offense in them before time ran out.
Freshman
Laura Mauldin, who had played in just three matches this season, was on the receiving end of a
Dylan Owens corner kick with just six seconds left. The rookie got in position and beat the goalkeeper through the middle for her first career goal, with the ball going in right at the buzzer. The game ended 2-1, but it was the second buzzer-beating goal of the season for ACU; the first came against New Mexico State, when
Ashley Stamps connected on one at the end of the first half.
Smith takes the loss in net, dropping to 3-2 on the season, but did record four saves. ACU held a slight 6-5 edge in corners for the night as well.
Individually, sophomore
Christina Arteaga was the lone Wildcat with multiple shot attempts (3), while Mauldin, Owens,
Caity Acosta,
Chelsea Reedy, and
Brooke Lenz each tallied one.
"We just have to turn the page and get ready for Sunday," added Wilson. "We have to be ready."
The team heads south to Natchitoches, La. for a Sunday date with the Demons of Northwestern State University. Kickoff on the 30th is scheduled for 1 p.m.
