BEAUMONT, Texas: The University of Central Arkansas women's soccer team fell short as Lamar countered on a few of costly mistakes in the 3-0 defeat.
FIRST HALF:
The Bears fell victim to one mistake as the Cardinals made them pay on a strong counterattack midway through the first half. From the beginning, both teams came out with a quick offensive game plan as UCA nearly cemented an opportunity early but was called offsides less than seven minutes in. After that point, it was back and forth till the Cardinals saw a quick chance on the counterattack. UCA's Emma Hawkins almost got the Bears on the board in the 22nd minute, but instead, it gave Lamar the chance they needed. The Cardinals countered and quickly ran down the pitch, scoring on their second shot at the net and giving themselves the early 1-0 lead at the 23rd minute.
The back and forth ensued as both teams shared a near equal number of chances at the net, as the Bears held a slight three-two advantage. None of those shots would go down as the score traveling into the break period read 1-0 in favor of Lamar.
SECOND HALF:
A foul at the beginning of the second set the tone as the Cardinals were gifted a penalty shot less than a minute in. A foul on the goalkeeper, Reagan McCombs, allowed Lamar their chance as they quickly converted in the 45th minute to make it 2-0. The Cardinals would only add a solidifier as they once again capitalized a couple minutes after a shot on goal by the Bears to make it a 3-0 match in the 65th minute.
After that point, UCA was trying its best to play catchup and was given a big opportunity late as a penalty shot was awarded to Hawkins in the 82nd minute. Hawkins couldn't find the back of the net for the Bears as Lamar's goalie made a save to keep UCA scoreless. A few minutes later, Hawkins was awarded the lone yellow card of the afternoon after Lamar failed to score again, thanks to a McCombs' save in the 86th minute. The Bears got one last opportunity on the corner in the 88th minute to battle past the shutout but failed as they dropped the match 3-0.
Up next, the Bears return home as they battle UIW at 7 p.m. April 1 at the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex.
Quote from head coach Jeremy Bishop:
"We gave it a great effort. Extremely proud of the way we competed as a team. It was an even match in every way except the score line where it matters most. But we definitely had our chances there as well. We are excited to return home for three straight to finish out the regular season. This team is ready for and expecting a great finish."
