CONWAY, Ark. - Central Arkansas (4-8-2) secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Queens (NC) (5-6-5) in a tightly contested match on Saturday evening at the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex, with 847 fans in attendance.
The Bears took control early when Devonte Richards found the back of the net in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a well-placed assist from Lucas Shearer. Central Arkansas doubled their advantage in the 44th minute through Michael Oliveri, who converted a chance created by Omar Atia. Queens (NC) would pull one back in the 63rd minute when Valter Salavuo scored off a combination play from Vitor Baptistelli and Michel Feldman.
The first half saw Central Arkansas establish their dominance, outshooting Queens 5-3. Nathan Tozzi picked up an early yellow card for Queens in the 6th minute, setting a physical tone for the match. The Bears' pressure paid off with Richards' opener, while Queens struggled to maintain possession in dangerous areas despite creating several chances through Leontios Zacharia and Michel Feldman's attempts in the 7th minute.
The second half brought increased intensity from Queens, who pushed forward in search of goals. Their efforts were rewarded when Salavuo found the net, but Central Arkansas's defense, led by Lucas Shearer, held firm. Both teams made strategic substitutions, with Queens bringing fresh legs through multiple changes around the 45th minute, including the withdrawal of Michael Tzimoulis and Kyriakos Christodoulou.
In terms of match statistics, Central Arkansas edged Queens in shots on goal (7-6) and corner kicks (4-2). The physical nature of the game was evident in the card count, with Queens receiving four yellow cards to Central Arkansas's one. Both goalkeepers recorded five saves in an evenly matched defensive display.
Individual performances shaped the outcome, with Devonte Richards proving decisive for Central Arkansas through his goal-scoring contribution. Kaisei Matsudo controlled the midfield for the Bears despite picking up several fouls, while Valter Salavuo stood out for Queens with his goal and overall attacking presence. Cole Pumpian created several dangerous opportunities for Queens throughout the match.
Tactically, Central Arkansas's approach of pressing high and utilizing quick transitions proved effective, particularly in the first half. Queens adjusted their formation after halftime, pushing more players forward and creating better attacking opportunities, though ultimately falling short of finding an equalizer.
The victory marks an important turnaround for Central Arkansas, snapping a two-game losing streak and improving their conference position. For Queens, the result extends their winless run to three matches, though their second-half performance showed promising signs for future fixtures.
Looking ahead, Central Arkansas will travel to face Lipscomb on November 1, while Queens returns home to host Bellarmine on the same date. Both teams will look to build on the positive aspects of their performances in this closely contested match.