HOUSTON – The HBU women's soccer team found the scoring touch in the second half with all five of the game's goals coming in less than 30 minutes as the Huskies emerged victorious, 3-2, over the visiting Central Arkansas Bears.
The Bears (11-4-1, 2-2-0 SLC) put some pressure on HBU (1-5-1, 1-4-0 SLC) early with Emma Hawkins putting a shot on goal in the 12
th minute but
Karla Ramirez came up with the save. The rest of the half was relatively quiet, from an offensive standpoint, with HBU attempting three shots and UCA two more with all five off target.
Things opened up in the second half with
Noor Abukishk having a good look but getting stonewalled in the 48
th minute. The Huskies' offense stayed at it with
Ryan Ford's shot getting stopped at the 57:23 mark before
Avery Cortez found the net less than a minute later in 59
th minute with an assist from
Xya Balderas.
Another Ramirez save in the 61
st minute preserved the lead and Balderas then struck in the 72
nd minute for a 2-0 HBU advantage. UCA answered quickly, however, with Hawkins scoring on a header off a corner kick from Zoe Van de Cloot less than two minutes later. Ramirez came up with a pair of big saves along with a team save in quick succession four minutes later and Abukishk came up with the eventual game-winner on a Ford rebound in the 83
rd minute. Van de Cloot and Hawkins connected again for Hawkins' brace just over two minutes later to again make it a one-goal contest.
It was the first goal of the season for all three Huskies with Abukishk bringing her season point total to four, now. Ford has now had a hand in goals in each of the last three HBU matches, scoring in the last two before the assist tonight.
Ramirez finished with four saves in earning the team's first win of the season. HBU held a 15-13 advantage in shot attempts with both sides putting seven shots on goal. UCA earned 11 corner kicks while the Huskies took four.
The Huskies will step out of conference play on Sunday, Mar. 7, evening when they host UTSA at Sorrels Field at 6:00 p.m.
