Central Arkansas women’s soccer secured a 1-0 victory over Bellarmine on Thursday in Conway, Arkansas, starting their three-game home stretch with a win. The Bears improved their season record to 5-8-2 overall and 2-4-2 in ASUN conference play.
The match remained scoreless for over 80 minutes. Bellarmine threatened early, but Central Arkansas goalkeeper Anna Kathryn Harrell and the defense kept the Knights from scoring. On offense, Megan Moudy and Trace Pavatt created opportunities, but neither team found the net in the first half.
Bellarmine continued to test Harrell with long-range shots, but the Bears’ defense held firm. Sakiko Manabe had a chance late in the first half, but the Bellarmine keeper made the save, and both teams went into halftime without a goal.
In the second half, Central Arkansas increased its offensive pressure. Moudy had a shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but it was saved. As the game progressed, substitutions brought new energy, with Rylee Reisdorph and Kaylee Vorisek creating chances and Jama Akpanudo using her speed to challenge Bellarmine’s defense.
The breakthrough came in the 83rd minute. After Trace Pavatt forced a turnover in the offensive third, she moved along the endline and passed to Manabe, who scored the game-winning goal.
In the final minutes, Bellarmine pushed forward in search of an equalizer. The Bears’ backline—Ava Ronsky, Rylee Ellis, and Ashlyn May—kept Bellarmine from getting quality chances. The Knights managed only two more shots, neither on target, as Central Arkansas held on for the win.
Central Arkansas will play its next two games at home, facing EKU on Sunday and North Alabama the following week for Senior Day.
