CONWAY, Ark. – The Trojans were finally able to hit the pitch this Thursday at Central Arkansas, opening the 2020 season in the first of two games within the I-40 Showdown series, presented by Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. Though the Bears came away with the 1-0 win, Little Rock showed an eagerness to play that will serve as a building block as the season progresses.
"We're disappointed with the result but the most important thing is that we're back doing what we love," said head coach
Mark Foster. "We started the game really well, creating the first two chances in the game. The game evened out as it went on, and we came out in the second half a little flat, but I was delighted with how we reacted after being down. We knew this game would be hard."
Despite having not seen action for nearly six months, Little Rock stepped onto the field chomping at the bit, with
Mari Young sparking the momentum with the first shot on goal of the game early in the fourth minute.
Young picked up another attempt in the second half, as the sophomore made the opposing goalie work for the stop with a large leap that may have saved the game for the Bears. Their keeper was barely able to push away a soaring arc from the left after Young dashed up the field and broke away from the UCA defenders.
Senior
Peyton Laughley also made a few surges, bringing a leadership presence in the second half to keep the Trojans in the game and push the forwards up the field.
The Little Rock defense continues to be tough against any opponent into the new year of play. A seasoned back line made multiple blocks throughout the evening, on top of several saves. Freshman
Saskia Wagner claimed the start and spent all 90 minutes in the box, stopping nine balls in her first appearance for the Trojans. Her nine grabs were the most since the nine versus Kentucky in 2018.
"Saskia was outstanding," said Foster. "She knew when to play short, she knew when to play long. The rest of the team knows we've got a good goalkeeper back there."
A scrappy Central Arkansas team brushed off the rust in the second half, finally getting lucky in the box after a long shot hit off the top crossbar and straight down into the jowls of an awaiting Bear, tapping it into the center of the net.
Little Rock will spend one more game on the road, traveling to Missouri State. The non-conference match will take place Sunday, September 13 with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. Be sure to join the Trojans as they host ULM in their home opener next Friday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m.
For the latest information on Little Rock Soccer, make sure to check out
LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSOC on
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