UCA Completes Comeback to Beat Lipscomb 3-2 in Thriller

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Central Arkansas’ women’s soccer team is perfecting the art of a comeback victory.

The Bears pulled off another comeback victory Thursday night against Lipscomb 3-2 and leave Nashville with their fourth-straight victory. It’s also the first time since 2018 UCA has defeated Lipscomb in a regular season conference game.

Thursday’s match started like many previous UCA matches with the opposing offense striking early and often before the Bears’ defense shut down the attacks.

Heroics over the last week from Kelly Van Gundy earn her the ASUN Player of the Week! She's on a three-game scoring streak, including the game-winner against West Georgia!

📰- https://t.co/MxWHZwjyP1#BearClawsUp pic.twitter.com/7Tcecshgvl

— UCA Women's Soccer (@UCAWomensSoccer) September 23, 2024

Lipscomb’s Kiara Pralle scored both of her team’s goals with the first goal coming in the 3^rd minute of the match and her second in the 7^th minute.

Following the script from previous comeback wins, UCA didn’t wait long to answer back with a goal of their own.

Brianna Lopez’s corner kick found Sophia Backstrom in the box and Backstrom deflected the ball off the side of her foot and into the net. The goal came less than a minute after Pralle put her team up 2-0.

UCA keeper Kajsa Pruner faced a barrage of Lipscomb shots after Backstrom’s goal and she stopped every one of them. Lipscomb ended the first half with 17 shots, while UCA had just four.

Anna Kerr paid off Pruner’s effort in goal with a game-tying goal from 25-yards away in the 28^th minute. The goal also marked the first time Lipscomb has allowed more than one goal this season.

Central Arkansas Secures Comeback Victory in Second Half

In the second half, UCA’s Kelly Van Gundy drew a penalty just outside the 18-yard box and was awarded a free kick. Doing her best “bend-it-like-Beckham” impression, Van Gundy bent the free kick around the wall of Lipscomb defenders and into the net for the 3-2 lead in the 79^th minute.

BEND IT LIKE KELLY!#BearClawsUp x @NCAASoccer https://t.co/vCqFJ0c3Fk pic.twitter.com/LA0hv023sy

— UCA Women's Soccer (@UCAWomensSoccer) September 27, 2024

Lipscomb’s offense kept attacking for the final 21 minutes, but Pruner was able to keep her net empty and secure another comeback victory and the Bears’ fourth ASUN victory.

UCA will be back in action Sunday at Austin Peay. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.