BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Central Arkansas Men's soccer team beat Elon 1-0 on Friday night in the Soccer for the Cure Invitation hosted by UAB.

FIRST HALF - LATE GOAL AND CLOSE CHANCES
The Bears had the first chance of the match in the ninth minute when Alberto Suarez put a shot on frame which was saved by the goalkeeper. UCA and Elon traded chances until Vicent Abaso nearly put the Bears ahead in the 39th minute. However, his shot was palmed away. Just three minutes later, Alberto Suarez nodded home the eventual winner after Pablo Azcona put in a cross after a cleared cross did not make it far out from the penalty area.

Suarez's goal gave the Bears momentum as Kris Naicker just a minute later nearly scored his first in a Bears jersey.

SECOND HALF - CLEAN SHEET AND SOLID DEFENDING
Zach Schawl had a quiet night until the 67th minute when he was called into action to make two big saves to keep Elon out. Jonathan Randall took on two defenders and put a strong shot on goal, but it got pushed away by the Elon goalkeeper. Schawl made three saves in the second half to keep Elon off the scoreboard and give the Bears the clean sheet.

HEAR FROM THE COACH
"The team is committed to our game model of playing good defense and putting pressure on the opponent whenever possible. We also had a number of guys step up to fill in that made this a hard-fought team victory," said Frank Kohlenstein after the big win over Elon.

HEAR FROM THE PLAYERS
"I would say the feeling of being part of a family is what is pushing us forward. We all have common goals, but you are going to have bad days. That's where your brother picks you up and keeps pushing you forward," said the captain and the goal-scorer Alberto Suarez.

"I am very happy to have been involved in a goal that helped the team get another great win. The job is not done and we want another victory on Sunday," said Pablo Azcona contributed a lot after coming off the bench in the 33rd minute.


The Bears play the final match of the Soccer for the Cure Invitational against the hosts UAB on Sunday, Sep. 5, with kickoff set for 5 p.m.