CONWAY, Ark. – The ULM soccer program came out strong in the first half, but it was Central Arkansas which put away a shot in the second half that decided the game, 1-0 on Sunday at the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex.
The game was tied 0-0 at halftime with ULM (2-3) holding a 4-2 advantage in shots, 2-0 edge in shots on goal and 2-1 disparity in corner kicks.
Though, Central Arkansas (2-2) withstood the Warhawks in the first half and got its lone tally in the 56th minute on a goal by Ashley Smith. The ball was crossed into the middle of the box by Kristen Ricks from the left wing and Smith was able to control it and fire a shot into the upper right corner.
“I give our girls a lot of credit for their hard work today. What hurt us in this game was that we were not able to get a grip of the game in the second half. The players that came on in the first half really gave us a boost of energy. We didn't give up a shot on goal in the first half and had a few quality chances to be up at the break,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza.
ULM's best chance came early in the first half when junior Jenna Pillon got through the defense on a fast break, but UCA goalkeeper Anna Hughes (2-2) made the save. Hughes picked up the win for the Sugar Bears after making four saves.
Pillon and junior Amanda Borstelmann each registered a pair of shots in the game to lead the way for ULM. Senior Karlea Fehr, sophomore Danielle Sabathe, senior Mariah Mitchell, sophomore Karen Tamayo and freshman Maia Mumford all recorded one.
In net, freshman Julia Idalis Gonzalez (1-1) got the nod and saved six shots including a couple of diving stops in the second half.
Junior Mary Ashton Lembo played 90 minutes at midfield and fellow junior Whitney Tuckfield played 90 minutes in back. The Warhawks played 22 student-athletes in the game.
ULM moved to 5-3-1 all-time against the Sugar Bears. The teams have split a pair of meetings the last two seasons, each winning at home 1-0. It marked the first road game this year for ULM.
“We still have not seen the best of this team yet,” said Mazza. “We need to get on the training field and get some hard practices. It has been a touch five game run in 10 days and I know we are getting better each game.”
Up next, the Warhawks will return home for a pair of contests at the ULM Soccer Complex next weekend beginning with a 4:00 p.m. game against Northwestern State on Friday.
