Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Despite taking an early lead and
manufacturing ten shots on goal, the UALR women's soccer team (4-9, 0-4 SBC)
fell to the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee (6-7, 3-1 SBC) by a score of 4-1
Sunday afternoon at Burns Park. An early
goal by Kristen Semko would be the only offense the Trojans were able to
produce on the afternoon, while Middle Tennessee answered with three goals in
the first half before adding a fourth late in the match.
For the
game, UALR led Middle Tennessee in shots on goal, 10-9, despite trailing in
overall shots, 13-14. The Blue Raiders
made the most of their opportunities, however, scoring three goals in 15
minutes - including two in a 50-second span - that allowed them to complete the
comeback.
The
Trojans took their early lead in just the third minute of the game. Taking a pass from Holly Holland, Semko beat
the MT keeper from 20 yards out with a shot that landed in the top-right corner
of the net, making the score 1-0, UALR.
The goal
was Semko's second of the season, while the assist was also Holland's second.
However, it
would not take long for the Blue Raiders to answer. Just seven minutes later, Vanessa Mueggler
scored her eighth goal of the season when she netted a straightaway shot to tie
the score at one.
Regina
Thomas was credited with an assist on the play.
Middle Tennessee would add two
more tallies before the first-half horn sounded. Shan Jones netted the go-ahead goal at the
23:06 mark, while Regina Thomas gave the Blue Raiders a two-goal cushion at
23:56 when she took a pass from Mueggler and beat Jane Picarelli to the
top-right corner.
Despite
the 3-1 Blue Raider advantage, UALR and Middle Tennessee were tied in both
shots attempted (6) and shots on goal (4) at the half.
The Middle
Tennessee advantage would stay at two for the majority of the second half. It was not until Jones scored her second goal
of the match in the 86th minute that the Blue Raiders would go up
4-1 and effectively put the contest out of reach for the Trojans.
Mueggler
and Whitney Jorgenson were each given assists on Jones' second goal.
In goal,
Picarelli made five saves for the Trojans in the contest. Offensively, both Semko and Holland were able to put three shots on frame
apiece. Rachel Maina, Dana Pearson,
Brittney Barney and Taylor Gabbert also added shots on goal for UALR.
UALR will
try to rebound on the road this weekend in Louisiana.
The Trojans will take on the ULM Warhawks on Friday, October 8, and will
go up against the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday, October 13.
Kick off
for the matches is slated for 4 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
