Box Score LITTLE ROCK – In front of more than 1,200 fans at the Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex, the UALR soccer team had the best atmosphere for a game in program history.
Unfortunately, Appalachian State came to play spoiler, defeating UALR 3-0 in both teams' Sun Belt Conference openers Friday night.
UALR (9-1, 0-1 Sun Belt) suffered its first loss of the year and was held goalless for the first time since the 2013 regular-season finale. Appalachian State (4-6, 1-0) put on pressure all night and claimed the victory in its first ever Sun Belt match.
The Mountaineers got their goal in the 17th minute on an unfortunate bounce for the Trojans. Julia Holz had the ball near the right sideline and attempted a cross into the box. UALR goalie Sara Cavanagh went to make a play on the ball, but it bounced off her hands and backward into the net for an own goal.
From there, UALR had to dig itself out of a hole and found itself unable to do so. Appalachian State beat the Trojans to free balls and always seemed to be in the way when UALR attempted a cross into the box or a final pass to spring an attacker.
The team's best chance in the first half came off the foot of Ariel Galletti in the 28th minute. The senior's shot was well played by Appalachian State goalie Megan Roberson, though, and she knocked the breakaway shot away from goal.
In the second half, Alyson Rohane got the best opportunity to equalize but rang a shot from distance off the crossbar in the 53rd minute.
Eight minutes after that, the Mountaineers struck for their insurance goal. Aubrey Fletcher had a great opportunity on goaltender Bre Ilkuf, and Ilkuf made the initial save. But the ball still had momentum behind it and rolled toward the goal line where Jenn Bass swooped in to poach the goal.
In the 84th minute, Appalachian State earned a penalty kick when a Trojan defender used her arm to block a shot inside the penalty box. Jane Cline converted the penalty kick to make it 3-0.
Overall, UALR took five shots on goal, but Roberson was equal to all of them. Cavanagh (5-1) made two saves in the first half in net for the Trojans, and Ilkuf had two saves of her own in the second half. Rohane and Maila Carboni led the team with three shots apiece.
UALR returns to action on Sunday when Texas State (6-3-1, 1-0) comes to town. The Trojans and Bobcats are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff at the Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex.
