JONESBORO, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw at Arkansas State Sunday afternoon, putting together the first multi-goal game of the season.
The Bears (0-2-1) got goals from
Jama Akpanudo and
Megan Moudy in the match, taking the lead with each score, but just couldn't find that last push defensively to hold on for the win. Three of the four goals in the match were scored in the final seven minutes, including Moudy's near go-ahead goal.
Central Arkansas put pressure on early, with a pair of shots and a corner kick from the Bears over the first ten minutes. Arkansas State countered and put a shot on goal, but
Anna Kathryn Harrell made the save to keep it scoreless. Central Arkansas continued to press forward offensively, moving the ball around and putting up seven shots in the first half, including a pair on frame, but the visitors were unable to take a lead in the first 45.
But it wouldn't take long after the break for all that to change. Akpanudo, pressing high up the field, picked off a backwards pass and countered, beating the lone defender back before lacing it past the keeper to put her team up 1-0 in the 48
th minute. The one goal advantage would hold for nearly 40 minutes, until a foul in the box gave Arkansas State a chance to equalize with a PK, which they did.
Central Arkansas took that as a challenge, and went right back to work pressing forward, like the Bears had done all game long. Driving down, Akpanudo found herself deep into enemy territory and looking for her right foot. Instead, she saw Moudy sprinting in for support, and dishing it to the top of the box, the senior midfielder punched it through to put the Bears back on top. Unfortunately, Arkansas State was able to find an answer, creating an opportunity and getting a lucky bounce to score the equalizer with just over a minute remaining.
Central Arkansas is back at home for the next one, hosting Alabama State at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex on Thursday at 7 p.m.
