DALLAS, Texas – A nationally ranked SMU team proved too much for the Central Arkansas men's soccer team, as the Bears fell 5-0 on Monday. Despite several good chances to score, the Bears couldn't get the offense on the board, unable to catch up to a dangerous SMU offense.
The loss dropped the Bears to 0-2 on the young season, having played the first two of a difficult opening stretch to the year. Central Arkansas put up 11 shots against the Mustangs, including nine in the second half, but only three were on target. SMU outshot the Bears 22-11, also taking ten more corner kicks than the ASUN visitors.
SMU was aggressive from the outset, taking the first shot of the match 32 seconds into the match. Central Arkansas tried to stay strong against the three-forward attack of the nationally ranked Mustangs, but the wall could only hold so long, with the home team finding its first goal in the 17
th minute.
Central Arkansas nearly countered in the next couple of minutes, with
Sohma Ichikawa and
Elijah Bishop letting loose on a pair of shots, but neither shot fell. The teams battled back and forth, trading possession into the middle of the half, and the feeling was that Central Arkansas would have a good chance to potentially equalize before the halftime break. But late in the first half, the Mustangs struck again, taking a 2-0 lead and securing it through the horn.
Though the final score would not reflect it, the halftime adjustments made by the Bears certainly led to more offensive opportunities in the second half.
Tajio James put a pair of shots on goal, putting constant pressure on the SMU defense with his speed on the outside. The transfer had two fantastic chances that were saved in the nick of time by the Mustang keeper. But SMU's relentless attack proved to be too much for a Central Arkansas team that featured 12 new players on the pitch. Late in the match,
Pietro Fontana had a great look after a cross from James, but the Italian's shot went off the post.
Central Arkansas continues its stretch of tough matches, playing at FIU on Friday, a team that made the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Kickoff against the Panthers is set for 6 p.m.
