CONWAY, Ark. – Saturday is a special day for the Central Arkansas women's soccer team, and for a number of reasons. In addition to having a chance to clinch the ASUN's No. 2 seed, the team also is set to celebrate Senior Day prior to kickoff against North Alabama. With play set for 1 p.m., the Bears will honor their three departing members with a ceremony shortly before game time.
With Central Arkansas (8-6-4, 7-1-2 ASUN) on the eve of postseason, the ASUN bracket is starting to take shape for the Bears. Currently in second place in the standings, Central Arkansas stands two points above Florida Gulf Coast. With the tiebreaker already in hand, the Bears just have to finish with the same record as the Eagles to claim the second spot. That means a tie will put the Bears three points ahead of the Eagles, and a win later in the afternoon means nothing for FGCU.
Last time they played, the Bears took a 2-1 win at North Florida, with
Kelly Van Gundy playing the role of hero against the Ospreys. Scoring both goals, Van Gundy punctuated each half with a score, logging a goal with 73 seconds left in the first half and the game-winner with 95 seconds left in the match. It brought the junior to seven goals on the year and five in ASUN games, both second in the ASUN.
As mentioned above, Saturday also means the closing of a chapter for three special players.
Alyssa Aultman,
Sydney Brough and
Emily Wissel-Littmann have all given everything to this program, and they will be celebrated pregame for their remarkable careers. Responsible for 50 points (18 goals, 14 assists) and 40 wins, the trio has been a huge part of not only this season's success, but the success over the last five seasons, including back-to-back ASUN Championship semifinal appearances in the two years since joining the ASUN. With a win or draw on Saturday, a two-round bye guarantees a third-straight semifinal in three seasons for the group.
Central Arkansas and North Alabama are relatively new foes, having only played twice. The Bears have won both matches, one in Florence, Alabama, and one in Conway. Last season's 3-1 win at home had two current Bears score, Van Gundy and Brough. Playing again on Senior Day, the Bears and Lions face off in the final showing at the Bill Stephens Complex for the second-straight year.
The Lions (9-5-4, 5-3-2 ASUN) have also clinched a spot in the ASUN Championship, and are locked into the No. 4 seed, four points behind FGCU in third and four points ahead of EKU in the fifth spot. North Alabama is unbeaten in its last four matches, including three-straight wins. Last time out, it was a 1-0 win over Jacksonville, in a game that saw a 17
th-minute goal decide all 90 minutes. Izzi Gurney-Harper's first goal of the season was all it took to defeat the Dolphins on their home field.
North Alabama has been a team that has primarily relied on the scoring of Alice Bussey, who has seven of the team's 16 goals. No other Lion has more than two scores, with seven players only scoring once this year. Bussey also adds three assists, and her 17 points are fourth in the conference. The senior forward has scored three of her goals in conference matches.
Defense, however, is where the Lions have staked their claim this season, allowing just 11 goals all season. They have done so by limiting their opponents' shots from ever getting off the ground, allowing just seven shots per contest. That means goalkeeper Adriana Wright, who has an 84 percent stoppage rate, has faced just 70 shots on goal all season, making 59 saves.
Kickoff against the Lions is set for 1 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex, with Senior Day celebrations starting around 12:50. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online.
