Month: September 2019

John Brown athletes sweep SAC soccer honors

Photos and graphic by John Brown University

August 26, 2019

By JOHN BROWN SPORTS INFORMATION

SILOAM SPRINGS – Freshman Jacob Zamarron and senior Britt Wisener were selected as the SAC’s first Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, the league office announced on Monday (Aug. 26) for their performances against Texas A&M – Texarkana and Lyon.

The selection was the first for Zamarron, who posted seven points in his first two collegiate outings. Meanwhile, the honor is the second in the career of Wisener, who backstopped the Golden Eagles (2-0-0) to a pair of victories.

John Brown picked up a tough 2-1 road win at Texarkana (0-1-0) to open the season. Zamarron tallied in his collegiate debut – a header in the box off a service from sophomore Adrian Immel. The goal was instrumental in building the lead for JBU as the visitors would hold on for the narrow victory.

Wisner needed to make just one save in the match against Texarkana.

Back at Alumni Field last weekend against the Scots (0-2-0), the Rogers native wasted little time in finding the scoresheet as he booted home a strike from just inside the left corner of the box, lofting a shot over the Scot keeper. While his goal would hold up as the game-winner, he later distributed a trio of primary assists in the second half, including twice in sophomore Goncalo Verissimo hat trick effort to lead the Golden Eagles to a 7-1 lopsided win over the Scots in the home opener.

Wisener, from Houston, Texas, gobbled up a pair of saves in the victory, moving to 12-8-1 all-time in his collegiate career.

Currently, Zamarron is tied for 10th in the nation with his seven-point outburst over the two-match stretch.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles welcome Bethel (Kan.) to Alumni Field on Friday (Aug. 30) for a 6:30 p.m. kick off. The match will be part of the university’s annual First Friday Fùtbol celebration.

John Brown defeats Bethel, 2-0

August 30, 2019

By JOHN BROWN SPORTS INFORMATION

SILOAM SPRINGS – After redshirting last season and missing the first two matches of 2019, senior striker Kelvin Omondi returned in determined fashion as he scored the game-winner, powering the John Brown University men’s soccer team past Bethel (Kan.), 2-0, on Friday (Aug. 30) evening at Alumni Field.

The match was never in doubt, as the Golden Eagles (3-0-0) continued to ask questions of the Bethel defense and keeper Albert Bratthammar all night long.

Bratthammar recorded nine saves in the first half, including point-blank chances on rebounds that could have given the hosts a lopsided advantage at the bathroom break. JBU out-shot the Threshers (0-2-0) by a 13-1 margin over the first 45 minutes of play.

Finally, shortly after the intermission in the 48th minute, Omondi’s much-anticipated return culminated in a dramatic rush up the field that saw the former Sooner Athletic Player of the Year pot his first goal since Oct. 24, 2017.

Freshman Jacob Zamarron kept the ball in play up the right sidelines and fed freshman Dalton Georgopulos up the field – allowing Georgopulos to flick a pass across the 18 to Omondi on the left wing. In typical fashion, Omondi danced around his defender and delivered a shot to the short side, breaking Bratthammar’s shutout bid and handing John Brown a 1-0 advantage.

Freshman Oscar Carballo nearly netted his second of the season in the 55th off a corner kick, but the Thresher defense was somehow able to keep the header off the goal line to maintain the slim 1-0 score.

En route to posting 15 shot attempts in the second half as a team, Zamarron again struck for his third goal in as many games in the 73rd. Sophomore Jack Bos earned his first collegiate point when his boot into space sprung loose Zamarron past his defender and in on Bratthammar all alone. As the Bethel keeper came out to challenge, Zamarron chipped a lovely ball over the leaping keeper and to the far left post and in – giving John Brown the insurance goal it was seeking.

Despite essentially no offense to speak of to help relieve him of pressure, Bratthammar continued to answer the call and keep the visitors competitive through the second half. The Golden Eagles also missed a few glorious chances, however, none bigger than junior Samuel Estrada’s effort to dance through the back line and deposit a shot to the far right post that just missed wide.

Senior Britt Wisener collected a pair of saves to post the squad’s first clean sheet of the season. Bos, sophomore Adrian Immel, freshman Matej Urbanija and junior Marcelo Mendes all turned in a full 90 minutes and limited Bethel to just four shot attempts.

Bratthammar finished the match with 13 saves, but was dinged with the loss despite the Herculean effort.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles will take an eight-day break before returning to Alumni Field to welcome No. 20 Columbia for a 5 p.m. kickoff on Saturday (Sept. 7).

Brinkley tops Wynne

November 11, 1911

BRINKLEY – Brinkley High School today won a game of football from the Wynne High School by the score of 11 to 0. The locals were outweighed 10 pounds to the man. Hartley, Woodfin, and McCreight of Brinkley deserve special mention.

Touchdowns, Woodfin 1, McCreight 1. Fred McCreight kicked one goal from touchdown.

Source: Arkansas Gazette, November 12, 1911

Little Rock to open at Texas A&M

August 31, 2019

By UALR SPORTS INFORMATION

LITTLE ROCK – Mark your calendars and plan your travel for Nov. 5 to College Station. Little Rock, the reigning back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Tournament Champions, will open the 2019-20 season at Reed Arena against Texas A&M.

Tip-off time and broadcast information is still yet to be announced.

Not only a battle of two programs that annually are at the top of their respective conferences, the game will be a matchup of coaches who rank fifth (Texas A&M’s Gary Blair) and sixth (Little Rock’s Joe Foley) on the active career wins list.

The game against the Aggies marks the second announced contest the Trojans will play against a Southeastern Conference opponent. Little Rock will face Arkansas on Dec. 21 at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock.

Season tickets for the 2019-20 Little Rock Women’s Basketball schedule are currently on sale by contacting the Trojan Ticket Office at (501) 565-8257.

Little Rock drops Arkansas Classic finale

August 31, 2019

By UALR SPORTS INFORMATION

FAYETTEVILLE –Carol Barbosa and Amna Osmankovic each posted seven kills, Barbosa was named to the All-Tournament Team and a match featuring 11 ties and five lead changes didn’t fall Little Rock’s way in the Arkansas Classic finale against Northwestern State, 3-0.

Set scores were 25-20, 25-17 and 25-17.

Northwestern State 3, Little Rock 0 | 25-20, 25-17, 25-17 | Box Score | PDF 

Behind the Box Score

  • The first set featured 10 ties and four lead changes. Little Rock had two aces in the set to NSU’s none.
  • Nathalia Vigineski served up an ace to start the second set. It was the second ace of the match for her and the second of her collegiate career.
    • Five different Trojans served up an ace over the weekend.
  • Carol Barbosa and Amna Osmankovic each posted three kills in the second set.
  • Anna Hurlburt was strong at the net in the third set with two block assists. That came in the middle of a 4-0 run that pulled the Trojans within one point.
  • Northwestern State was led by Hannah Brister (16 kills) and Reagan Lee (.636 pct.)

Leaders by the Numbers

Notables

  • Carol Barbosa was named to the Arkansas Classic All-Tournament Team after recording 20 kills, 11 digs and five blocks over the weekend’s action.
  • Nathalia Vigineski recorded her first two career service aces in the match.
  • Amna Osmankovic’s seven kills and two service aces marked weekend highs for the true freshman.
  • Anna Hurlburt recorded two block assists in the match, both of which came in the third set.
  • Little Rock still leads the all-time series over Northwestern State, 5-1.

Up Next
Little Rock travels to Tulsa, Oklahoma, next weekend to compete against Air Force, Illinois State and host Oral Roberts in the ORU Classic.

Little Rock finishes 7th at Memphis meet

August 31, 2019

By LITTLE ROCK SPORTS INFORMATION

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Little Rock Director of Track & Field/Cross Country J.P. Behnke set out to bring in a strong recruiting class. That new talent was on display at the season-opening Memphis Twiglight Classic with underclassmen posting top three men’s finishes and two fo the top three women’s finishes.

In all, the Trojan men finished seventh with all five scorers posting top-50 marks while the women placed ninth.

Sophomore Carter Reynolds paced the men with an 18th place finish, running the four-mile race in 21:07.45, while freshman Colby Swecker’s time of 21:24.22 placed him 25th. Sophomore Ricardo Banks ran 21:36.02 to finish 35th as three underclassmen led the Trojan men.

Junior Jarred O’Conner posted a time of 21:54.24 to finish 43rd while senior Emilio Medina ran 22:07.88 to round out the scoring five for Little Rock and bringing an upperclassmen presence to the top five.

On the women’s side, junior Vianney Sanchez posted a 5k time of 19:48.14 to place 52nd and lead the women before two freshmen made their mark. Rookie Ariana Garcia ran 19:57.55 to finish 58th and she was closely followed by Jordan Edwards’ time of 19:57.79 for a 59th place finish.

Senior Hunter Paul finished 72nd with a time of 20:29.79 and freshman Amanda Gordon rounded out the scoring five with a mark of 21:29.79, placing 88th.

Little Rock will head up the road to Conway for the UCA Cross Country Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Little Rock falls to Missouri State

September 1, 2019

By UALR SPORTS INFORMATION

LITTLE ROCK – The Little Rock soccer team (1-3-1) fought hard at home against a quick Missouri State team, falling 2-1 after a strong attempt at equalizing the match. Doro Greulich scored her first goal of the season in the first appearance of her senior campaign, soaring a well-placed shot into the net after being awarded a free kick right outside the box.

Missouri State started off the game with the control, earning a goal in the 11th minute. However, the Trojans were right in the midst of the action, creating several opportunities of their own, ultimately being stopped by an agile Bear goalie. MSU struck again at the 83rd minute following a well-executed cross, but Little Rock refused give up and earned a goal of their own soon after.

“I think we’re actually playing some really good soccer,” said head coach Mark Foster. “I know we’re not getting the results that reflect that, but that’s the reality of college sports. We’re just a little short, even though some of our girls played their best game of the season. If we stay positive, I think we’re going to learn the lessons and figure it out soon.”

Little Rock looked lively, despite competing in the third game within the past five days. The Trojans registered 9 shots to the Bears’ 8, with five on goal by five different players. Along with Greulich’s, Bergros Asgeirsdottir, Fanney Einarsdottir, Mari Young, and Ziva Payer each notched on-target shots. Little Rock also managed to earn 11 free kicks compared to Missouri State’s three, helping the offensive action.

The Trojans will take the next couple of days to regroup before the team travels to Texas on Thursday, Sept. 5, to take on TCU at 7 p.m.

Sugar Bears win Georgetown Classic

August 31, 2019

By UCA SPORTS INFORMATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears wrapped up play in D.C. in a massive way as they defeated the Sacred Heart Pioneers and host Georgetown Hoyas on Saturday to win the 2019 Georgetown Classic. The Sugar Bears (4-0) concluded play on a high note as they easily handled previously undefeated Hoyas in three sets and recorded a scorching .338 hitting percentage.

UCA 3, PIONEERS 1

The Sugar Bears continued to lay the attack on their opponents this afternoon as they delivered 55 kills on the Pioneers. Senior Abbie Harry led the way for Central Arkansas with a team-high 16 kills and 13 digs while sophomores Madi Bowles and Lexi Miller contributed 13 and 11 kills. The setter pairing of senior Elizabeth Armstrong and junior Bailey Waddington continued to be a dynamic duo with 47 combined assists while junior libero Emily Doss recorded a match-high 16 digs.

SET 1 – Both teams gave the crowd an entertaining start to the match as there were six ties recorded within the first 12 points. After a Sugar Bear error made it 6-6, Miller recorded two of her 11 kills during a 6-1 run that gave her team some breathing room. The Sugar Bears timed their next run perfectly as they answered a Pioneers kill with five straight points to make it 17-10. Sacred Heart would pull within six after a Central Arkansas error, but two straight errors of their own granted Central Arkansas the 25-18 win.

SET 2 – The second set started similar to the first as the initial 16 points saw six ties. The Pioneers attempted to create breathing room of their own with a quick 3-0 spurt to make it 10-8, but the Sugar Bears responded with two kills and four straight points to regain the 12-10 lead. Central Arkansas created crucial separation from Sacred Heart with a 5-0 run a few points later to confidently lead 18-12. The Pioneers attempted to threaten with two straight points to make it 24-21, but Harry’s fifth kill of the set notched the 25-21 win.

SET 3 – The Pioneers came out of the break desperate and grabbed an early 5-1 lead. Their lead later stretched to eight off a kill, but the Sugar Bears momentarily stopped the bleeding with three straight points to make it 15-10. The Pioneers kept countering Sugar Bear responses until point 35 when Central Arkansas turned up the pressure and took five of the next six to make it 21-19. Still down 24-21, the Sugar Bears got a Harry kill and three straight Pioneer errors to take their first lead at 25-24. Central Arkansas had two chances to win but could not convert and the Pioneers took the third set 29-27 off back-to-back kills. The Sugar Bears recorded a set-high 16 kills in the comeback effort.

SET 4 – The Sugar Bears handled the loss well and responded with an early 4-1 lead. The Pioneers held their composure and took four of the next five to tie it at 5-5. After the Sugar Bears grabbed a 9-7 lead off a Harry kill, the Pioneers took their biggest lead after a 7-1 run made it 14-10. Central Arkansas immediately regained the momentum with a 5-1 run off back-to-back Sacred Heart errors to tie it at 15. After going back and forth for a handful of points, freshman Alexis Stumbough converted her second kill of the set to give the Sugar Bears the 20-19 lead. She stayed hot and converted two more kills before Waddington sent the Pioneers to the locker room with a service ace to win 25-22.

UCA 3, HOYAS 0

The Sugar Bears saved their best tournament performance for last as they converted 38 kills and a season-low 12 errors. Harry and Miller led the attack with 11 and 10 kills while Waddington contributed a team-high 16 assists. Doss continued to jumpstart the offense, providing a game-high 12 digs.

SET 1 – The match started in true championship fashion as six ties were recorded within the first 16 points. Miller helped create separation from the Hoyas with three kills amongst a 5-0 run to make it 13-8. After two straight Sugar Bear errors pulled the Hoyas within three, Bowles got red-hot and converted three straight kills to give her team a strong 17-10 lead. Georgetown had no answers for Central Arkansas as a Harry kill completed a 25-16 win.

SET 2 – The second set stayed close through the first 26 points as nine ties occurred and the Sugar Bears delivered seven kills. The Sugar Bears were finally able to pull away and go on a 6-1 run powered by five straight Hoya errors that made it 19-14. Georgetown had a small glimmer of hope after a kill pulled them within four, but Central Arkansas would close the match on a 6-0 run and take it 25-15. The Hoyas finished with 10 errors in the set.

SET 3 – The Sugar Bears jumped out to a quick 4-2 lead thanks to a Harry kill and three Hoya errors. After Harry’s second kill of the set made it 8-4, Georgetown responded with a mini 3-1 run to pull within two at 9-7. Both teams would go back and forth for the next seven points before the Sugar Bears benefitted from even more Hoya errors and went on a 6-0 run to lead 18-11. The Sugar Bear lead ballooned even further after junior Amari Mitchell delivered back-to-back kills and made it 20-11 to put the Hoyas on their heels. Georgetown tried their best to keep their crowd entertained by going on a quick 4-0 run to cut the lead to four, but they would not get any closer as Central Arkansas converted four kills and secured the championship match at 25-19.

ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH MARISSA COLLINS ON DAY TWO

“I could not be prouder of the way this team played. They showed heart, growth and so much grit through the tough competition we faced.

Our defensive efforts and blocking presence were key, along with being able to run the most diverse offense we’ve had since I’ve been coaching at UCA.

Every single player contributed to our team’s success this weekend and we are really excited to build off of this tournament going into Kansas State next weekend.”

UP NEXT

The Sugar Bears will return home and have little time to rest as they will hit the road next Wednesday for the K-State Invitational in Manhattan, Kansas. Their first match is set to come against the Omaha Mavericks on September 5 at 12 p.m.

Bears fall to in-state foe

September 1, 2019

By UCA SPORTS INFORMATION

CONWAY –  It was a rough afternoon in Jonesboro for the Central Arkansas women’s soccer team as a rocky start to the match left themselves with a small chance of recovery. The Bears traveled to Jonesboro to take on Arkansas State, a team that came into the match coming off a huge victory against Big 12 Conference affiliate Kansas State. 

Central Arkansas (0-3), found themselves down two goals less than five minutes into the match, conceding a goal in the second minute and another in the third. However, the Bears responded to adversity and got a goal back in the 23rd minute before ultimately conceding a third goal late as more numbers were thrown forward in an attempt to equalize.

First Half

  • Arkansas State’s Abigail Glockzin gave the Red Wolves an early 1-0 advantage inside of two minutes into the match.
  • Arkansas State doubled their lead in the third minute on a goal from Sarah Sodoma.
  • The Red Wolves nearly grabbed a third in the 20th minute, however UCA keeper Reagan McCombs was up to the task and recorded her first save of the afternoon.
  • Central Arkansas cut the deficit in half in the 23rd minute courtesy of a Gracie Hair goal, her first of the season.
  • The Bears would nearly equalize five minutes later on a Emma Hawkins strike that flew just wide right of the net. 

Second Half

  • The Bears continued to threaten in the second half in search for the equalizing goal and nearly grabbed it in the 53rd minute on a Jordan Slim strike that forced a corner kick. 
  • Hawkins again nearly tied it up for Central Arkansas in the 67th minute as she saw her strike fly just high of the net. 
  • A corner kick opportunity in the 80th minute nearly saw the Red Wolves grab their two goal advantage again as ASU’s Haley Husted was denied by goalkeeper Elizabeth Lewis just in front of goal. 
  • ASU would score the final goal of the match in the 84th minute as the Bears many numbers forward in a final attempt to grab an equalizer.

Central Arkansas finished the match with eight total shots, and only one on frame. Goalkeepers McCombs and Lewis each saw a half of action recording two saves apiece. 

Coach Bishop Quotes

“Today was similar to Friday in that we gave away a couple of scoring chances early in the match and our opponent took full advantage, but we settled in after that and controlled most of the play. Today, we didn’t create enough scoring chances to get ourselves fully back into the game. We have to be sharper in the final third so we can get more looks at goal. It’s a process. We have to keep working and I know this group will.”

Up Next

The Bears are back in action this Friday, September, 6 as they travel to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

UCA, Campbell draw Even after 110 minutes

September 1, 2019

By UCA SPORTS INFORMATION

CONWAY – Few chances created saw Central Arkansas hang on for a 1-1 draw after 110 minutes of play tonight in an ultimate dogfight from the Bill Stephens Complex in Conway. 

Central Arkansas took an early 1-0 advantage in the first ten minutes of the match, but were unable to create many more chances following the goal. Campbell found an equalizer in the second half and would create a few more quality scoring chances, but neither team was unable to find a late winner. 

First Half

  • Central Arkansas took an early 1-0 lead in the tenth minute after capitalizing on a set piece. Soren Jensen converted a header flicked on by Mathias Bendiksen and just got it over the goal line in what was a goal by a matter of inches. 
  • UCA’s Katsuyoshi Kimishima had a chance to double the Bears’ lead in the 30th minute, but saw his shot fly wide right. 
  • Marc Olsen came up big for the Bears in the final moments of the first half, denying the Camels an equalizer in the 44th minute, recording his first of four saves on the evening. 

Second Half

  • The second half saw little action until the 64th minute, where Campbell finally found an equalizing goal on a Thibaut Jacquel free kick strike from 25 yards out. 
  • The Camels would continue to apply pressure and nearly grabbed the lead in the 74th minute, but again Olsen was up to the task denying Aigbekan Nosegbe the go-ahead on a near post strike.  
  • Olsen denied the Ramblers a late winner in the 87th minute, diving down to his left side and pushing the ball out for a corner on a hard hit strike by Humberto Chavez. Chavez’s attempt would be the final opportunity created in regulation. 

Extra Time

  • UCA’s Nate Lancaster came to the rescue for the Bears in the 95th minute on a fantastic goal line clearance, denying the Camels a golden goal winner. 
  • The Camel’s were again denied a winner by Olsen in the 97th minute, recording his third save of the night. 
  • Campbell created the final opportunity of the match in the 107th minute as Alex Egeonu’s strike down the middle forced yet another save from Olsen. 

Central Arkansas finished the match with just six total shots and only one on frame compared to Campbell’s 18 total shots and five on target

Ross Duncan Quotes

“We escaped without losing and I think that’s the positive we got out of tonight. We had some brave performances defensively, but we’re not going to be able to play like that and have the season we want to have. It was disappointing to have the performance that we did because we were ready, but we just couldn’t put it together. Credit to Campbell. They put us under a ton of pressure and they played really well.” 

Up Next

The Bears get a six day break before being in action again as they host Incarnate Word Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.