CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team captured a 1-0 victory over Austin Peay Thursday night, claiming the first ASUN win of the season. Behind a gritty defensive effort in the second half, the Bears battled to the final whistle to take down a pesky Governors squad.
With the win, Central Arkansas moves to 3-5-2 on the year, with a 1-1-1 record after Thursday's triumph.
Sydney Brough tallied the lone goal on the night, punching home a leaping right-footer midway through the second half.
Austin Peay started the game with the first shot, letting one go in the second minute. The Governors kept possession of the ball for the first chunk of the match, but the Bears defense wouldn't budge at all. Turning momentum around, Central Arkansas saw its first shot off the foot of
Nina Mazzola, who started her eighth match of the season. Although the shot didn't go, Mazzola represented both shots of the first half for the Bears, producing all the offensive opportunities as a freshman.
Although the Bears were outshot 14-2 in the first half, goalkeeper
Kajsa Pruner played a shutout half between the posts, recording five saves and adding to her team-high 36 saves.
Momentum stayed with the Governors, with the visiting team putting up another couple of shots for second-half goalkeeper
Lenja Kenstel. Unbreakable, though, the defense continued to hold the Governors scoreless into the second half.
Corralling a corner kick in the 65
th minute and keeping offensive pressure, the Bears kicked out wide to freshman
Tristyn Pavatt on the wing. Launching in a cross, Brough came flying in for the shot, connecting with her right foot and driving one past the keeper. With newfound energy, Central Arkansas pressed forward again, with
Abby Gibson nearly doubling the lead just two minutes later.
Austin Peay gathered themselves again, restructuring and reorganizing for a comeback. Continuing to battle, the Bears fought tooth and nail to keep the Governors at bay, repelling each and every attack as the clock dwindled. Austin Peay almost found an equalizer on a corner kick, but the attacking forward committed a foul against Kenstel, negating the score and preserving the clean sheet. Battling through the end, the Bears secured the conference win at home with a gritty, to-the-wire performance.
Central Arkansas will remain at home for the next match, facing Lipscomb on Sunday. Facing the reigning ASUN champions, kickoff against the Bisons is set for 1 p.m. at Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex.
