CONWAY, ARKANSAS - Robert Rodriguez needed just 33 minutes to write the story of Central Arkansas' dominance, slotting home his first goal and sparking a five-goal barrage that propelled the Bears to a 5-2 victory over Lipscomb before 1,047 fans at Bill Stephens Stadium.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became an offensive showcase, with Central Arkansas' attack dissecting the Bisons' defense with precision passing and clinical finishing. Michael Oliveri doubled the lead just 115 seconds later, capitalizing on a Noa Bamballi through ball to put the Bears up 2-0 and stifling Lipscomb's hopes of a competitive match.
As the first half drew to a close, Central Arkansas continued to control the tempo, with Vaclav Kozeny and Lucas Shearer combining for an assist on Maxim Sheenkov's 68th-minute goal that extended the lead to 3-0. The Bears' midfield, orchestrated by Kozeny, dictated the pace of the game, creating scoring opportunities through intricate passing sequences. Devonte Richards and Pietro Fontana added fourth and fifth goals within a minute of each other, with Shearer and Kozeny providing crucial assists.
Lipscomb's struggles were epitomized by their inability to capitalize on their limited chances, managing just seven shots on goal throughout the match. In contrast, Central Arkansas' goalkeepers had to make only five saves, despite facing 13 shot attempts from the Bisons. The Bears' defense, marshaled by their backline, withstood Lipscomb's sporadic attacks, snuffing out any potential danger.
The statistical ledger reveals a tale of two teams - one that controlled the game and another that struggled to mount a meaningful challenge. Central Arkansas outshot Lipscomb 12-13 overall but held a marginal advantage in shots on target, 8-7. Both teams earned four corner kicks each, though neither could capitalize on these set-piece opportunities. The Bears' victory was built on their ruthless efficiency in front of goal, converting five of their 12 shots into goals.
The victory represents more than three points for Central Arkansas; it marks their second consecutive win and improves their record to 3-6-2 overall and 2-0-1 in conference play. The Bears will look to keep their momentum going when they face SMU next. For Lipscomb, the loss extends their losing streak to two games, dropping their record to 1-8-3 overall and 0-2-1 in conference. They will look to regroup against Queens (NC) in their next match.
The afternoon belonged to Central Arkansas - and specifically to their attacking trio of Sheenkov, Kozeny, and Shearer. As the Bears celebrate their victory, they will be keenly aware of the challenges ahead, particularly against SMU. For Lipscomb, the task is to regroup and address the defensive vulnerabilities that were exposed so starkly.
Key Players:
Maxim Sheenkov (Central Ark.) – Braced the Bears' attack with two goals, showcasing his clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Vaclav Kozeny (Central Ark.) – Orchestrated Central Arkansas' midfield with intelligent distribution, creating multiple scoring chances through his precise passing.
Lucas Shearer (Central Ark.) – Provided crucial assists that unlocked Lipscomb's defense, demonstrating his vision and ability to pick out teammates in dangerous positions.
Robert Rodriguez (Central Ark.) – Opened the scoring with a well-taken goal, setting the tone for Central Arkansas' dominant performance.
William Kennedy (Lipscomb) – Scored Lipscomb's second goal, providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dismal performance.
Pietro Fontana (Central Ark.) – Added a crucial fifth goal and assisted on another, highlighting his contribution to the Bears' attacking flair.