MONROE, La. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team returned to the pitch for a match against the ULM Warhawks on Friday. UCA fell to 0-3 on the young season, while ULM improved to 2-0, as the Warhawks claimed a 1-0 victory.
 
The Bears started the match strong and in the ninth minute, Emma Hawkins put the game's first shot on target, but the Warhawk goalie made the stop.
 
The ULM attack picked up the pace at the 15-minute mark with its first ball on frame, but Keyla Perez made her first save of the night. The Warhawks put another shot on target at the 23-minute mark, but Perez managed to come up with a big stop. Three minutes later, ULM rattled off three consecutive shots. Perez continued to be a wall and stopped two of the shots, while the defense provided a blocked shot.
 
UCA responded to the barrage with a shot on goal by Sydney Brough at the 31-minute mark, but the ULM keeper kept the Bears off of the scoreboard.
 
Neither team was able to put any other shots on goal for the remainder of the first half and the match was at a stalemate at the break.
 
The Warhawks put the first ball on target for the second half at the 48-minute mark, but UCA's new keeper, Kasja Pruner was able to make the stop. Two minutes later, Janet Stopka put ULM on the board as she snuck a shot past Pruner. Stopka was assisted by Lena Goppel.
 
With just under 17 minutes left in regulation, ULM ripped a shot on goal, but Pruner kept the ball out of the net. The Warhawks were able to get a shot off on a rebound attempt, but the UCA defense was stout and came up with a team save.
 
The Bears did not give up and battled until the final whistle. UCA took the match's final four shots, but was unable to find the equalizer. At the 79th minute, Abby Gibson notched a shot on goal, but her shot was saved. Taylor Lassiter collected the final shot of the contest at the 83-minute mark, but was unable to find the back of the net.
 
Like the previous two matches, Perez and Pruner split time in goal for the Bears. Perez finished the contest with four saves, while Pruner added two saves. As a unit, UCA took five corners and surrendered just three. The Bears' defense produced two blocked shots and came up with a team save.
 
Stopka collected her first goal of the season, which turned out to be the game winner for ULM. Hailey Hillock posted four saves in the winning effort.
 
UCA will be back in action on Sunday, Aug. 29, against Little Rock. The match will be the first event in the Governor's I-40 Showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Coleman Sports Complex in Little Rock.
 
From the Coach – Head Coach Jeremy Bishop
"Tonight's match could have gone either way. I'm proud of the effort we put in and the play on the field. I believe we are growing and there is no doubt we are getting better. We just have to stay positive and keep working. The results will come."
 
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