CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team took a 2-0 win to get back on the right side of the coin-flip on Thursday. It brings the Bears closer to clinching a spot in the ASUN Championships, as Central Arkansas maintains second place in the conference standings.
The Bears (6-6-3, 5-1-1 ASUN) scored both goals in the first half to create a margin that the Knights could not overcome.
Kelly Van Gundy and
Megan Moudy each scored their fourth goals of the season and kept Central Arkansas unbeaten in home conference games.
It didn't take long for the Bears to get on the board either, applying high pressure and intercepting a ball deep in the attacking third. Doing all the work herself, Van Gundy sidestepped and let loose on the shot, ripping it past the keeper in just the ninth minute. It marked the second game-winner for Van Gundy, and her third goal in front of Bear Nation this season.
Sydney Brough nearly added one just a few minutes later, punching one on a corner kick in the 13th minute, but the Bellarmine was able to keep it out of the net. Bellarmine made a big push in the 18
th minute, taking three shots in rapid succession, but none of them even made it near goalkeeper
Kajsa Pruner. The Varnamo, Sweden native played a terrific game, securing her fifth shutout of the season after making three saves.
Just before halftime, the Bears had another corner kick, but were unable to get anything out of it, and the defense was able to send it away. But Central Arkansas again applied the high pressure, keeping the ball in a dangerous spot that eventually led to Moudy taking control. Making her move, the freshman blasted one past the keeper, stretching the lead to multiple goals. It marked the fourth time since the start of conference play that the Bears led by multiple goals, and sent the Bears into the halftime break with all the momentum.
Coming out of the break, Central Arkansas continued to put its foot on the gas, with Brough putting another shot on goal. But soon after, the Knights began to turn the momentum, holding possession and keeping the ball in the Bears' defensive third. Despite the added pressure, Pruner and the defense were unphased, turning away attack after attack. Bellarmine would take five shots in the half, but only put one on goal, right into the arms of Pruner.
The Bears move to 5-1-1 in conference play, holding onto second place in the league standings. Central Arkansas continues its home stand against Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, kicking off against the Colonels at 12 p.m.
