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Bears Start Conference Play With 1-0 Win
Bears’ offense strikes early and defense takes control late to start ASUN play with win against Bellarmine.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Central Arkansas has started fast in each of its six games with varying degrees of success. That trend continued in the seventh game of the 2024 season against Bellarmine on Saturday.
Devonte Richards got the Bears on the scoreboard early, scoring in the game’s sixth minute with assists from Tajio James and Sohma Ichikawa. It was the only goal UCA would need in a 1-0 win.
6' | BEARS UP EARLY! Devonte Richards takes a cross from Sohma Ichikawa and we take a quick lead!#BearClawsUp pic.twitter.com/6Vse75aIRz
— UCA Men's Soccer (@ucamenssoccer) September 21, 2024
The Bears kept up the offensive pressure throughout the rest of the first half, outshooting Bellarmine 7-5 in the first 45 minutes. Pietro Fontana had the best scoring chance for UCA in the 10th minute, but his shot was stopped by the Bellarmine keeper.
The second half saw Bellarmine’s offense come to life and combined with UCA for 12 shots in the first 15 minutes of the second half. But once that offensive flurry had ended, the Bears’ defense took control of the game and secured the 1-0 win for UCA.
The one-goal win kept the Bears’ streak of avoiding a loss in their ASUN opener intact for a fifth-straight year and scored a goal in a conference match for the 12th consecutive game. That streak dates back to the 2022 season.
The Bears will stay on their road for the next match against Queens, in Charlotte, NC. Game time is set for 5 p.m. Saturday.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | @ Arkansas State | L, 34-31 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | @ Lindenwood | W, 34-13 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | Austin Peay | W, 45-17 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff | W, 56-17 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Lamar | W, 34-14 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ Abilene Christian | L, 41-34 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs West Georgia | W, 34-33 |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs North Alabama | W, 24-19 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Utah Tech | L, 34-21 |
| Sat, Nov 9 |  | @ Eastern Kentucky | L, 31-24 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Southern Utah | L, 38-31 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | @Tarleton State | 2:00 PM |
