Late Penalty Kick Seals UCA’s Third-Straight Win

CARROLLTON, Ga. – After five-straight losses to start the season, Central Arkansas’ women’s soccer team is on a roll.

The Bears won their third consecutive game Sunday night on the road against West Georgia, 1-0. Last week, the Bears got the first win of the season against Louisiana-Monroe, 3-2, and then open ASUN play with a 3-2 win over Queens.

Unlike their first two wins, UCA didn’t need a comeback to win against West Georgia. There was a long wait before anyone scored.

The Bears and Wolves held each other scoreless for the first 84 minutes of Sunday night’s game and it wasn’t until the 85^th minute when that changed. UCA drew a penalty inside the 18-yard box that sent Kelly Van Gundy to the penalty kick spot.

Van Gundy made both of her penalty kicks last season and had scored at least once in both of UCA’s wins. So, it wasn’t very surprising to see her bury a perfectly placed ball into the upper right corner of the goal.

85' | Kelly Van Gundy puts home a PK! We take the lead with five minutes left!#BearClawsUp pic.twitter.com/fA0piPVKNO

— UCA Women's Soccer (@UCAWomensSoccer) September 22, 2024

And the 1-0 lead is all UCA keeper Kajsa Pruner would need, holding West Georgia scoreless for the final six minutes of the match. Pruner ended the game with three saves and her first shutout of the season.

Van Gundy is now tied for the team lead in goals at three with Sophia Backstrom.

UCA will stay on the road for its next two matches in Tennessee. The Bears will face Lipscomb at 6 p.m. Thursday and Austin Peay at 1 p.m. Sunday before coming back home for a four-game home stand.