CONWAY, Ark. – Playing the second of three-straight at home, the Central Arkansas women's soccer team earned a 2-0 win over North Alabama Sunday afternoon. The win adds three more points to the UAC table as Central Arkansas claims another match in conference.
The win improves Central Arkansas to 7-6-3 overall and 4-2-1 in UAC matches, along with a 6-2 home record. The Bears got goals from
Megan Moudy and
Sakiko Manabe, mirroring Thursday's home win. Sunday marked the sixth-straight game allowing one or fewer goals, a run that has the Bears 4-1-1 as the season nears the final stretch.
Both teams pressured early, with both sides putting shots up in the first 15 minutes. Momentum could have swung early for Central Arkansas, who received a PK in the 20
th minute. Unfortunately for the Bears, the UNA keeper made a great save, keeping the game scoreless as the first half reached the midway point. Possession continued to be primarily traded in the midfield, with both defenses playing soundly along the back line. Following the PK, each side had one more shot on goal, but both keepers maintained the stalemate through the first half.
Once the second half started, though, it didn't take long for the Bears to take control. Earning a free kick a short distance beyond the 18-yard box, Moudy stepped up to take it. Looping it with her right foot, she knocked it off the post and in, securing the 1-0 lead for the Bears just two minutes into the second half.
North Alabama continued to press forward, looking for an equalizer, but the Central Arkansas defense continued to battle. Then on the other side, Manabe was able to turn over the Lions in a dangerous spot. Intercepting a pass to the middle of the field, the senior midfielder turned, took some space, and let one launch, burying it past the keeper to make it a two-goal lead.
But the threat wasn't over; North Alabama did not want to go home empty handed. The Lions threw numbers forward, looking for something to get the momentum swung to their favor. As the clock wound down, the Lions maintained control of possession in the Bears' defensive third, but Central Arkansas continued to just punch the ball away and force the visitors to rebuild the attack. Eventually, the clock ran out, ending the threat and securing another shutout for the Bears.
Central Arkansas hosts Abilene Christian next Sunday, October 25
th, at 1 p.m. The Bears will celebrate Senior Day prior to kickoff, celebrating the accomplishments and efforts of the senior class.
