ABILENE, Texas – After taking a 1-0 lead in the first half, the Central Arkansas women's soccer team had to settle for a draw in its UAC match at Abilene Christian, coming home with a 1-1 final score Sunday afternoon.
The Bears (4-5-3, 1-1-1 UAC) did something that only one other team has done this season: score at Elmer Gray Stadium. Despite ending the match with a draw, the Bears became the second team in six matches to find the net against the Wildcats, and the first team to score in the first half, and in the run of play. New Mexico State, the only home loss for the Wildcats this season, scored on a PK in the 65
th minute.
Central Arkansas started out the game putting pressure on the ACU defense. Through 15 minutes, the Bears had outshot the Wildcats 3-2, but had the advantage of an
Ashlyn May shot on goal. After some back and forth,
Sakiko Manabe intercepted a ball near midfield. Driving up 20 or so yards, she got within range for a long shot, opting to take a stab from roughly 25 yards out. Lacing the ball, she lifted it high, and the ball arced back down over the outstretched keeper, slotting nicely into the top right corner of the net for the game's opening score.
ACU started pressing forward to find an equalizer before ethe end of the firt half, outshooting the Bears 8-1 through the final 20 minutes of the first half, but couldn't find an answer. Central Arkansas, despite being outshot 11-6 in the first 45 minutes, had a goal in the bag going to the break.
The Wildcats continued to pour on pressure as the second half started, dominating possession in their offensive third, desperate to equalize in front of a home crowd. And for a good portion of the second half, the Bears were able to repel the attacks, clearing the ball out and forcing ACU to reset and try again.
Anna Kathryn Harrell was spectacular in the second half, making nine saves in the final 45 minutes.
But where the Bears started to struggle was, despite clearing the ball out, the visitors weren't able to secure possession to build any counter attacks, or even just possess the ball to kill some clock and keep the ball away from the net. ACU kept pressure high, and this allowed the Wildcats to keep sending the ball back in despite every clearance. This eventually culminated in a foul in the 75
th minute that gave ACU a dangerous free kick, which was finally converted into the equalizer.
The Bears nearly answered the tying goal, as
Jama Akpanudo got the ball just outside the 18 yard box and fired one in, but the ACU keeper was able to stick with it and keep the ball out of the net. The Bears controlled possession deep into the game, with the Wildcats having spent so much energy getting the game tied at 1-1, but Central Arkansas attackers just couldn't find another score. ACU had one last chance with under a minute to go, but the Bears were able to hang on and get the draw.
Central Arkansas remains on the road for the next game, heading up to Richmond, Kentucky to take on the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky University on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT.
