August 30, 2019
CONWAY – It was all smiles tonight as Central Arkansas men’s soccer was able to grab a season opening victory against Wright State. The Bears came into tonight having played two exhibition games and was looking to carry over the momentum from exhibition win number two against Tulsa, where they netted six goals in a 6-1 thrashing of the Golden Hurricanes.
The attacking power was on full display again tonight for the Bears as UCA (1-0) scored four goals, netting three in the second half. The Bears gave up just one goal on what was an unlucky deflection from a set piece.
First Half
The match got off to a rip roaring start as both teams created scoring chances early on, and would continue to create chances the entire duration of the first half.
- UCA’s Moaid Ankir nearly gave the Bears a 1-0 advantage less than two minutes into the match after his strike from just inside the penalty area forced a save from the Wright State keeper.
- Wright State would nearly grab the lead in the ninth minute after a strike from Jackson Dietrich rattled Olsen’s right crossbar on its way out of play.
- The deadlock would be broken in the 20th minute courtesy of Niklas Brodacki. Matthias Bendiksen slid Brodacki through, who was just onside and took care of the rest, finishing into the bottom right corner from six yards out.
- Brodacki found himself in another good scoring position in the 25th minute, but his strike flew just wide right and the score remained 1-0.
- Central Arkansas was awarded a penalty in the 41st minute, but the Wright State keeper was up to the task denying Brodacki his second goal of the night on a diving stop to his left side.
Second Half
- Ankir found himself in the six yard box with a one on one opportunity, but was intervened by a Wright State defender, leaving the referee no choice but to award UCA its second penalty kick of the match.
- Soren Jensen would step up this time, and converted from 12 yards out on a perfectly placed penalty into the bottom left corner, doubling the Bears’ advantage.
- Wright State would grab one back in the 62nd minute after a 25 yard free kick strike took an unlucky deflection, leaving Marc Olsen with no chance to react.
- Kasper Andersen again doubled the Bears’ lead on what was arguably the goal of the match. Great buildup play from Alexsi Morel and Katsu Kimishima put Andersen in a great position and the Denmark international took care of the rest, finding the top corner on a sensational strike from 18 yards out.
- UCA’s fourth goal would come from Matthias Bendiksenin the 73rd minute. The skipper took a pass from Brodacki across the 18 yard box and calmly side-footed it into the bottom right corner to give the Bears a 4-1 advantage.
Ross Duncan Quotes
“I was really happy with the way we came out. We came out flying. Going up two (goals) and then giving up a goal is a dangerous position to be in. The way responded to that is what I’m most proud of.”
Up Next
The Bears are back in action again this Sunday night as they host Campbell State at the Bill Stephens Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM.