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University of Central Arkansas Athletics

University of Central Arkansas
Kelly Van Gundy

Women's Soccer Ryan Thiele

Bears Close Regular Season at Florida Gulf Coast

CONWAY, Ark. – Playing the final match of the regular season, the Central Arkansas women's soccer team heads to Fort Myers, Fla., to take on Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday. Having already clinched a spot in the ASUN Championship, the Bears and Eagles kick off at 6 p.m. CT.
 
Last time out, the Bears (6-7-3, 4-3-2 ASUN) took home a 3-1 win over North Alabama on Senior Day. After celebrating the contributions of its five seniors, Central Arkansas had one of its most complete games on Sunday, scoring a pair of goals in the first half before wrapping things up in the second. Taylor Lassiter scored her team-leading fourth goal in the tenth minute, after which Kelly Van Gundy hit the game-winner in the 16th. Sydney Brough capped the scoring in the 64th minute, putting the final touches on the sixth win of the year.
 
Later in the week, the Bears locked up their berth to the conference tournament with some tie-breakers falling Central Arkansas' way. It marks a second-straight season that the Bears have made the ASUN Championship in as many years in the league.
 
Central Arkansas and Florida Gulf Coast have never faced off, but it will not be the first time that the Bears have played in Fort Myers. Last season's ASUN Championship route for the Bears went through Fort Myers, where Central Arkansas fell in dramatic fashion to Kennesaw State, 4-3 in overtime.
 
The Eagles (9-5-1, 7-1-1 ASUN) host the Bears on a seven-match unbeaten streak, with six wins and a draw in recent memory. In its last match, FGCU also won 3-1, over Stetson in DeLand on Wednesday. After taking the lead on an own goal, the Eagles went to halftime with a 2-0 lead, matching the Hatters' goal in the second half to reach the final score. FGCU outshot the Hatters 25-10, with a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal.
 
It's been just over a month since the last time the Eagles lost, falling 2-0 to Liberty back on Sept. 18, and have since outscored opponents 19-4. Louise Lillback, Ashley Labbe and Leah Scarpelli have combined for 12 of those scores. Lillback, last season's Player of the Year, ranks second in the conference with eight goals, while Labbe is tied for fourth with six.
 
Head coach of the Eagles is Jim Blankenship, who has over 30 years' experience on the sideline. Closing out his 16th season in Fort Myers, Blankenship has over 400 wins to his name, with nearly 200 at Florida Gulf Coast.
 
Saturday's match will be broadcast on FGCU's Facebook page, with live stats available here. Kickoff against the Eagles is set for 6 p.m. CT.
 
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Players Mentioned

Sydney Brough

#25 Sydney Brough

MID
5' 1"
Senior
Taylor Lassiter

#5 Taylor Lassiter

FWD
5' 6"
Senior
Kelly Van Gundy

#3 Kelly Van Gundy

MID
5' 5"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Sydney Brough

#25 Sydney Brough

5' 1"
Senior
MID
Taylor Lassiter

#5 Taylor Lassiter

5' 6"
Senior
FWD
Kelly Van Gundy

#3 Kelly Van Gundy

5' 5"
Sophomore
MID

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