Politixia
STILLWATER, Okla. – Despite leading 2-1 at half, the Central Arkansas women’s soccer team couldn’t keep pace with the high-powered Oklahoma State offense, falling 5-2 on Sunday.
Maria Vanegas and Abbi Armstrong each scored their first goals of the season in the loss, dropping the Bears to 0-4-2. Armstrong’s goal was the first of her career, a crafty shot that sailed just over the outstretched keeper.
Oklahoma State opened the scoring in the 17th minute, the sixth shot in the early goings for the Cowgirls. But on the ensuing kickoff, the Bears came back with bad intentions. Vanegas intercepted a pass from the keeper and lofted it overtop and into the net to even the score. It marked the first goal against the Cowgirls in program history, having been shutout in each of the last two meetings.
Twenty minutes later, Armstrong corralled the ball near the top of the 18-yard mark, and giving the defender some shake and bake, cleared enough space to inch closer to the goal and let loose on a shot. Arcing high, the freshman’s shot curled in and over the keeper’s hands, giving the Bears a lead. The advantage would last through the halftime whistle, sending the Bears to the locker room up on the Cowgirls.
But Oklahoma State came out of the break intent on reclaiming the lead, doing so in a little over two minutes, scoring back-to-back goals to open the half. Once the Cowgirls were back in front, it was difficult for the Bears to reclaim their step, as Oklahoma State scored twice more before the final horn.
The Bears are back on the pitch on Thursday, returning to the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex. Facing Oral Roberts, Central Arkansas kicks off against the Golden Eagles at 6 p.m.
