Tag: Jeremy Bishop

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.

Bears fall in Home Opener

August 30, 2019

By UCA SPORTS INFORMATION

CONWAY –  Conceding a goal in the fourth minute and another in the 18th saw the Central Arkansas women’s soccer team trailing Missouri State in their own backyard early in the match. The Bears came into the match allowing less than a goal per match at the Bill Stephens Complex and was riding a 10 game home unbeaten streak. 

Central Arkansas (0-2) showed resilience despite being down 2-0 in the first 20 minutes and would go on to score two unanswered goals of their own, with the equalizer coming in the 67th minute. Missouri State went on to find a late winner in the 80th minute, leaving Central Arkansas very limited time to potentially equalize again. 

First Half

  • Missouri State’s Brooke Zenner found the back of the net just inside four minutes of playing, giving Missouri State an early 1-0 advantage. 
  • Missouri State would double their lead in the 18th minute on a strike Unnur Bergsdottir.
  • Central Arkansas responded quickly, finding the back of the net in the 22nd minute on a beautifully worked goal that ended in a Hadley Dickinson finish from just inside the penalty area. 
  • UCA’s Savannah Tidd created a couple of chances towards the end of the first half, forcing saves from Missouri State’s Kaitlin Maxwell in the 41st and 42nd minutes. 

Second Half

  • Anika Sultan would equalize for Central Arkansas in the 67th minute after a strike directly from a corner kick found its way into the side netting, giving UCA a chance to potentially snatch a late winner. 
  • Sultan’s equalizer would be short lived after Missouri State’s Britney Robinson pounced on a late opportunity and scored what would ultimately be the winning goal for her team in the 80th minute.

Central Arkansas finished the match with 12 total shots, striking six of them on target, while Reagan McCombs finished the match four total saves. 

Coach Bishop Quotes

“Being down 2-0 and fighting back to get even with them was big for us, but to fall behind 2-0 the way that we did was disappointing. Once we got ourselves going, we were the better team, we were just unfortunate to not do more in our attacking opportunities.” 

Up Next

The Bears will travel to Jonesboro Sunday afternoon to face in-state foe Arkansas State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

UCA falls to Arizona State in Season Opener

August 26, 2019

BY UCA SPORTS INFORMATION

TEMPE, Arizona – It was a tough night for the University of Central Arkansas women’s soccer team as goals were at a premium in its 7-1 season opener defeat to Arizona State Sunday night from Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Potentially the toughest game of the season for the Bears, they faced a star studded Arizona State squad that featured six players from their respective national teams, a top honor for any footballer. 

UCA (0-1) took an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute, but were unable to consistently create chances for the entire duration of the match. The Bears tallied three shots total, putting two on target compared to Arizona State’s 19 shots combined with nine on target.

FIRST HALF

  • Senior striker Connie Awuku-Darkoh gave the Bears a 1-0 advantage inside of nine minutes after capitalizing on a mistake from the Arizona State goalkeeper.
  • Arizona State equalized in the 12th minute and would take a 2-1 lead in the 30th minute. Both ASU goals scored by Nicole Douglas.
  • Arizona State went on to score two more goals before halftime and went into the locker room with a 4-1 advantage.

SECOND HALF

  • Central Arkansas gave up goals in the 48th and 54th minute, ultimately falling down seven goals to one.
  • Freshman Sydney Brough would create the best chance for the Bears in the second half after her 84th minute strike forced a save from the Arizona State keeper.

COACH JEREMY BISHOP QUOTES
“It’s great to be able to get out on the field with an opponent of that caliber and compete with them. To play against a team where at least half of their starting lineup is national team players from all over the world is a great experience, something we can learn and draw experience from. We are ready to get home, get back to work and be ready for our home opener Friday night.”

ON DECK
The Bears will look to bounce back Friday evening as they host Missouri State in their home opener at the Bill Stephens Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.