Kansas City, Mo.-

The Central Arkansas men’s soccer team lost for just the second time on the season Wednesday night, falling 3-2 to the UMKC Kangaroos.

The ‘Roos (3-4-2) got on the board first, when Ashley Reece crossed the ball into the six yard box where David Sarabia knocked it into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 23^rd minute. Reece struck again in the 44^th minute, crossing to Jordan Rideout who put it in from 12 yards out. The Central Arkansas response was quick though, as just 13 seconds later, Daniel Sampedro slid a pass to Manuel Montal who put netted his third goal of the season to pull the Bears to within one goal at the half.

The ‘Roos again struck first in the second half, when Tom McCarthy volleyed home a ball that had been punched away by Central Arkansas keeper Cody Gibson, putting the UMKC lead at 3-1. The Bears got a gift in the 77^th minute when a ball was knocked into to the UMKC net for an own goal, but they were unable to produce an equalizer in the last 23 minutes.
“We ran into a UMKC team that was very sharp. They scored three very good goal and could have had a fourth,” said Coach Ross Duncan, referencing a blast from 35 yards that glanced off the Central Arkansas cross bar. “They were very good at the moments that they needed to bery good, so full credit to them.”
“On our end, I think we were just a bit off in the midfield today. That’s been one of our strengths all season, so it tough for us to get a hold in the game.” Duncan clarified, “we weren’t bad, we just missed a few marks and got punished for it.”
“In the attack, our midfield was great,” said Duncan, “and I think Elia Louis did a great job of coming off the bench and changing the pace of the offense.” The game marked Louis’ first appearance for the Bears this season.
The Bears took 17 shots during the game, with seven of those on goal. They were lead by Sampedro, who placed three of his six shots on goal, and Montal, who placed one of his on goal. UMKC placed four of their eight shots on goal, led by Rideout and Mo Ramahi, who each placed one of their two shots on goal. In goal for the Bears, Cody Gibson made one save while allowing three goals while taking his first loss this season. UMKC keeper Connor Sparrow made five saves while allowing two goals.
The Bears return to the pitch on Saturday to face off against a Saint Louis University team that is receiving votes in some polls. “We’ve got a big game coming up on Sunday,” remarked Duncan, “we need to just fall forward after this one, learn from it, and turn it around for Sunday.” The match kicks off at 7:30 PM.