TULSA, Okla. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team nearly pulled off an upset Sunday night, but ultimately fell 2-1 at Tulsa.
Caroline Billings logged the lone goal of the match for the Bears.
Central Arkansas (0-2) weathered the storm as long as possible, taking wave after wave of attacks from Tulsa and defending well, but eventually, the size and speed of the Golden Hurricane proved to be too much.
Tulsa pressed forward early and often, recording six shots in the first 20 minutes of the match.
Sakiko Manabe gave a good look in response in the 13
th that forced a save from the Tulsa keeper, but the score remained open early on. The Central Arkansas defense settled in and bore the brunt of the Golden Hurricane attack, but it left few opportunities to counter or threaten on the other side. After 45 minutes of largely the same, the score was tied at 0-0 at the midway break.
Hanna Hargrave made a couple more saves for the Bears early in the second, this time giving her side a chance to counter. But on the other side, a corner kick by Central Arkansas was quickly cleared and countered by Tulsa, and the home team found the first goal of the night on a 2-on-1 attack.
Central Arkansas ramped up its pressure, closing in on passes and possessions across the pitch. Even up top as the 60
th minute passed, Billings and
Kayla Hurley pressed defenders and the Tulsa keeper, forcing passes and trying to cause turnovers and mistakes. And that happened exactly as planned, with Hurley forcing a pass back into the box that didn't quite have enough mustard on it, leaving the ball in no-man's land. Billings jumped at the opportunity, beating the keeper to the spot and tapping it past to even the score.
But Tulsa found its footing again, pressing forward as the clock ticked away. The home team continued to pepper the Central Arkansas defense, and earned a bevy of corner kicks as the clock dipped under ten minutes. Then, with three minutes remaining, the home team found a game-winner on a high, looping corner kick.
The Bears will look to regroup next week, heading up to Jonesboro for a meeting with the Red Wolves of Arkansas State. Game time next Sunday is set for 4 p.m.
