From Arkansas State University
Christina Fink's goal in the 45th minute proved to be the difference maker as the Arkansas State women's
soccer team defeated Central Arkansas 3-2 Friday in front of a record crowd at the UCA Soccer Complex.
The
Red Wolves (1-1-1) trailed 2-1 after the first 16 minutes, but scored
the match's final two goals to pick up their first win of the season.
A-State is also the
first team to score a goal against the Bear's this season and has now
won six straight matches against the school.
"The
girls showed great determination tonight," ASU soccer coach Tafadzwa
Ziyenge said. "This was for in state bragging rights and both teams put
up a fierce fight.
There was a massive crowd at the stadium and the Red Wolves simply
refused to be intimidated tonight."
UCA (2-1-0) jumped out in front with a goal in the 10th minute, but ASU benefited from a Bears' miscue just two minutes later when
a ball deflected off a UCA player from 3-yards out and found the back of the net to tie the match at 1-1.
Adriana Lucar gave UCA the lead in the 16th minute after dribbling down the right side of the field and finding open space for her
second goal of the night, but the lead would not last.
A-State battled back and tied the game when Christine Giles scored her second goal of the season in the 20th minute on a long shot
from 35-yards out that was just out of the reach of UCA goalie Hayley Romero to tie the match at 2-2.
Fink
gave the Red Wolves the lead for good just 56 seconds into the second
half after taking a shot from 12-yards out that deflected off UCA's
Lyndsey Goff and bounced
into the net. Fink is now tied for fifth place on ASU's all-time career
scoring list with 11 goals and also moved into a tie for fourth place in
the school's career points list with 32.
Eight different Red Wolves took shots on the night with Jena' Kelley leading the way three, one of which landed on-goal.
Amanda Lee set a career-high with six saves on the night and earned the first win of her career in goal.
A-State
will return home Tuesday, Sept. 3 for a match against Missouri State.
Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. at the ASU Soccer Park.
