CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team picked up a 3-1 win on the road Sunday afternoon, defeating the West Georgia Wolves in a UAC match.
The win improves the Bears to 5-6-3 overall and 2-2-1 in UAC games. After being tied 1-1 at the break with a
Jama Akpanudo score on the ledger,
Caroline Billings scored a brace in the second half to give the Bears a comfortable margin.
Pressure was even through the early parts of the first half, with both sides recording shots through the first 20 minutes. Central Arkansas was able to continue to press and found an solution, with Billings finding Akpanudo, and the speedy junior beat the keeper to open space and finished into an open net.
The Bears continued to press in the first half, but were unable to add a second goal. West Georgia found some momentum late in the half, pushing forward and earning a PK, which the home team finished to tie the game in the 40
th minute.
After halftime, it didn't take long for the Bears to answer the PK.
Sakiko Manabe played a dangerous ball in to Billings, and the senior forward slotted it home to give Central Arkansas the lead once more in the 53
rd. UWG had a chance on a corner kick a few minutes later, but the Bears were able to repel the opportunity. The sides continued to battle back and fourth in the second half, but quality looks were far and few between.
Makenna Adam thunked one off the frame of the goal midway through the half, nearly adding a third goal to the scoreboard. Finally, with less than five minutes to go, Billings scored for the final time on the day, notching her team-leading seventh goal of the year to close it out.
Central Arkansas outshot the Wolves 20-6 in the game, including a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal. The game was split evenly, with the Bears recording ten shots in each half, and the Wolves finding three in each half.
The Bears are back home for the next three matches, hosting Austin Peay next Thursday. Kickoff at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex is set for 7 p.m.
