UAPB Soccer Shutout Central Baptist College In Home Opener

Nat Freeman

PINE BLUFF, AR. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff soccer team opened their 2022 home game in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 shutout of Central Baptist College Monday evening at Pumphrey Soccer Complex.

With the win, UAPB improved to 2-0 on the season.

This is the second consecutive shutout for the Lady Lions since defeating Arkansas St., 1-0 on the road last week.

“Today, we got a chance to see all 20 players contribute and playing hard, which I think, is super important,” said UAPB head coach Erik Solberg. “Building chemistry and discovering what your team is about is really important, knowing that you have two weeks to practice before the season starts. To be able to come home and play hard against a well-disciplined team like CBC and get the win was a plus for our program.”

The scoring got underway in the 39th minute when freshman Tiana Johnson scored her second goal of the season, striking the net from a distance with an assist by junior Evangelia Sandoval-Belmudez to give UAPB a 1-0 before halftime.

In the 52nd minute of the second half, SWAC Offensive Preseason Player of the Year Natalie Freeman rocketed a powerful shot past the goalkeeper to find the back of the net to give the Lady Lions a 2-0 lead.

The evening final goal came from junior Azana Holman, with a beautiful teardrop kick from long range over the goalkeeper’s head, with the assist by freshman Jewel Foreman in the 74th minute to seal the 3-0 shutout.

UAPB outshot CBC 42-4 in the match, 12 of those shots on goal.

UAPB will be back in action on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Tarleton St. This match is set for a 6 p.m. start in Stephenville, TX.