Men's Soccer Falls in ASUN Opener to Central Arkansas

Saturday, September 10

Conway, Ark.

8 p.m. (EST)

University of North Florida

0-4-0, 0-1-0

Central Arkansas

2-2-1, 1-0-0

North Florida

Central Ark.

Bryson Smith dribbling down the sideline

Photo by: Todd Drexler

9/10/2022 11:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. - North Florida men's soccer (0-4) dropped the conference opener at Central Arkansas (2-2-1), 2-0, on Saturday evening as the Ospreys concluded a tough three-match road stint.

UNF created its fair share of chances, but UCA's goalkeeping kept pace with a key save and another shot on a set piece clanked off the post. UCA scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 15th minute, the first goal in the first half that UNF has permitted this year.

GOALS

15' | Sebastian Andreassen (Bradyn Knutson) - UCA
74' | Mathias Bendiksen (penalty kick) - UCA

HOW IT HAPPENED

LJ Estes and Miguel Quintana both had opportunities within the first 10 minutes, but both shots went just off the mark.
A long pass from midfield set up Sebastian Andreassen to high-touch it over the goalkeeper, giving UCA an early 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.
UCA had a free kick chance just outside the box, but the Ospreys defense blocked the shot and recovered the ball on the second shot off the rebound.
The Ospreys were set up nicely for a free kick, but the shot was tipped over the crossbar by the UCA keeper.
In the 54th minute, Bryson Smith sent a beautiful cross to Nino Smith for a header, but the Ospreys' first shot on goal was saved by the fingertips of the keeper.
A red card was drawn against Richard-Miguel Lapointe-Guevara in the 56th minute that gave the Ospreys a 11-vs-10 advantage.
Just moments later, Zach Board was issued a red card on a collision to leave both teams short-sided for the remainder of the match.
Padraic Gilley made his first save of the night in heroic fashion with a diving stop that kept the deficit at one.
A 20-minute delay was held going into the 72nd due to a problem with lighting on the field.
In the 74th minute, Gilley was given a yellow card that set up a penalty kick for UCA. UCA converted it to go up, 2-0.
UNF had their best look on a free kick in the 76th minute but Bendeguz Burka's shot went off the right post, which kept the deficit at 2-0.

RECORDS

North Florida | 0-4
Central Arkansas | 2-2-1

QUICK KICKS

Burka led the team with three total shots, while Estes and Bryson Smith both were right behind him with two each.
In only 27 minutes played, Nino Smith had the only shot on goal for the Ospreys with the header that almost went in for a goal.
Joaquin Acuña and Board earned their first starts of the season, while transfer Ethan Ash garnered his first start as an Osprey.
Freshman Braden Masker saw playing time for the first time this season entering the game in the 40th minute.
With the red card on Saturday night, Board will not be able to compete in the next match against Georgia Southern.
UCA was coming off an impressive 3-1 win against Air Force. It also came up just short at No. 3 Washington, 2-1, Aug. 29.

FROM THE MOUTH OF MARINATOS

"It was a tough loss. We felt prepared and had the run of play early with some chances. It was a tough first goal to give up. In the second half we went up a man and had the advantage, but unfortunately we fouled and lost our man advantage. We have played a tough schedule to start the year and the guys know we have a lot of season left. Hard work and discipline, as well as execution, will help us get results going forward."

-- head coach Derek Marinatos